Question

Which of these processes is responsible for the energy released in an atom bomb?

• A. Nuclear Fission
• B. Nuclear Fusion
• C. Gamma decay
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Nuclear Fission

The enormous energy released in an atom bomb comes from uncontrolled nuclear fission. 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.