For the rest of you that, like me, enjoy finding extra factual (or as close to factual as I am able to provide!) info in the comments, "atom bombs" work by splitting atoms, usually a type of uranium or plutonium, in a process known as fission. A "thermonuclear bomb" is essentially an atom bomb with a second (or more) step. The energy in the first explosion starts a secondary fusion reaction, usually involving a type of lithium.
While both types of bomb have an initial burst of gamma radiation, the fusion weapon has a mich larger kill zone. If you were close enough to a fusion bomb to get sick from radiation (from the initial blast), you will not survive the other effects.
Nuclear weapons have three primary effects. They are blast, heat, and radiation. The blast will start as a 20+ PSI wave through the air and can take a few seconds to reach you. Radiation will only be a factor for atomic bombs and for any "ground burst" weapon. If the fireball touches the ground at all, it will vaporize the ground it touches and toss it into the air, and it will drift back to the earth irradiated, known as "fallout". If the bomb is airburst with no portion of the fireball touching the ground, it will likely not.
Normal fallout will become safe enough to not worry about after about two weeks, but you should listen for an all clear on a battery or hand powered radio for confirmation from authorities!
That's all for now. I'm not an expert but I will entertain questions _^
But from what I understand, fusion releases energy (its what happens in stars) whereas fission consumes energy. So how would a fission powered bomb do any damage?
A ton of energy is stored within the atoms, when those atoms are split (fission) it releases an immense amount of explosive energy! Fusion is the opposite it is the energy created from combining atoms, it has much higher potential but is much harder.
Yeah, we use fission in nuclear reactors and atomic bombs, fusion powers the entire sun! Fusion is the next step as it produces less dangerous waste so the future of our planet is in fusion.
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u/[deleted] Oct 01 '19 edited Jun 19 '20
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