Page 2 - Lesson 12.xps

Module - V Nuclear Warfare

Warfare and
Its Types reactions of the atoms of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen present in the high-
explosive material. In a nuclear reaction, redistribution or a recombination of the protons
and neutrons of the atoms takes place. This produces the energy that is tremendously
greater than the conventional energy.
Two kinds of nuclear reactions are used for the production of large amounts of energy
in a short time. They are known as 'fission' (splitting) and 'fusion' (joining together).
Note
The fission process takes place with some of the heaviest (high atomic number) nuclei
such as plutonium, which are split into smaller nuclei. In this process, a large amount of
energy is released. Fission, on the other hand, involves some of the lightest (low atomic
number) nuclei such as Helium and Hydrogen combining together to release energy.

12.1.2 Fission

When a free (or unattached) neutron enters the nucleus of a fissile atom, it can cause
the nucleus to split into two smaller parts. It is accompanied by the release of large
amount of energy. This is called the fission process. The materials used to produce
nuclear explosions by fission are certain isotopes of Uranium and Plutonium. Uranium
consists mainly of two isotopes. The Uranium isotopes are Uranium- 235 (about 0.7
per cent), and Uranium-238 (about 99.3 per cent). Uranium-235 is readily fissile and
is commonly used in nuclear weapons. Another isotope, Uranium-233 is also readily
fissile. Uranium-233 is made artificially from Thorium-232. Plutonium-239 is yet another
fissile isotope used in nuclear weapons made artificially from Uranium-238.

Fig 12.1 – Fission Process

12.1.3 Fusion

In nuclear fusion, a pair of light nuclei unite (or fuse) together to form a nucleus of a
heavier atom. For example the fusion of the Hydrogen isotope is known as Deuterium
or 'heavy hydrogen'. Under suitable conditions, two Deuterium nuclei may combine to

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MILITARY STUDIES