Which term describes an explosion created from the fission or fusion of nuclear source material?

Which term describes an explosion created from the fission or fusion of nuclear source material?

• A. Created using high or low-explosive materials that release energy rapidly.
• B. Explosives that detonate with a chemical reaction moving faster than the speed of sound.
• C. Created from the fission or fusion of nuclear source material.
• D. Explosives made from ordinary dynamite.

Answer: (C)

Explosions are classified by the source of their energy. The term described here refers to explosions that come from changes in the atomic nucleus—fission or fusion of nuclear material. In fission, heavy nuclei split, releasing a tremendous amount of energy, neutrons, and radiation. In fusion, light nuclei fuse under extreme heat and pressure, releasing even more energy and radiation. This nuclear mechanism sets the explosion apart from chemical ones, where energy comes from rapid chemical bond breakage and formation. So the correct term is a nuclear explosion. The other descriptions pertain to chemical explosives: rapid release of energy from chemical reactions, detonation of chemical compounds, or a common chemical explosive like dynamite.

Explosions are classified by the source of their energy. The term described here refers to explosions that come from changes in the atomic nucleus—fission or fusion of nuclear material. In fission, heavy nuclei split, releasing a tremendous amount of energy, neutrons, and radiation. In fusion, light nuclei fuse under extreme heat and pressure, releasing even more energy and radiation. This nuclear mechanism sets the explosion apart from chemical ones, where energy comes from rapid chemical bond breakage and formation.

So the correct term is a nuclear explosion. The other descriptions pertain to chemical explosives: rapid release of energy from chemical reactions, detonation of chemical compounds, or a common chemical explosive like dynamite.