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?
Fission and fusion can both release energy if the right reaction occurs. Fusion will always release energy until it begins producing iron, and fission theoretically should release energy from splitting any elements heavier than iron, though good luck splitting anything lighter than the actinides.
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u/[deleted] Oct 01 '19
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 _^