What phenomenon is the atom bomb based upon?

SOLUTION

CONCEPT:

• The nucleus of a heavy atom (such as uranium, plutonium or thorium), when bombarded with low-energy neutrons, can be split apart into lighter nuclei. This process is called nuclear fission.
• Fission occurs when a neutron slams into a larger atom, forcing it to excite and split into two smaller atoms—also known as fission products.
• A chain reaction refers to a process in which neutrons released in fission reaction produces an additional fission reaction in at least one further nucleus. This nucleus, in turn, produces neutrons, and the process repeats.

• During this reaction, a tremendous amount of energy is released.

EXPLANATION:

From the above explanation, we can see that,

• The atom bomb unleashes vast amounts of energy by the process of nuclear fission.
• Nuclear fission is when a heavy element breaks down into smaller elements and releases energy in the process.
• The extra energy released is the energy that keeps the nucleus of the heavy element stable (the larger the nucleus the more is its binding energy).
• Commonly used elements in atom bombs are uranium-235 and plutonium-239.
• It is to be noted that radioactivity is a by-product of nuclear fission and is not to be confused with the working principle of the atom bomb.
• Nuclear fusion is the opposite of fission in which energy is released when two lighter elements are fused to form a heavier element.