A physics-based tour of how geometry, timing and materials turn fission into a weapon—and why it matters.
The first atomic bombs used two different explosive lenses to shape a symmetric blast, not a single big explosive.
During WWII, uranium-235 and plutonium-239 triggered cores required precisely tuned timing down to the microsecond to avoid pre-detonation.
Some early designs relied on conventional explosive lenses shaped like glasses to compress plutonium into the supercritical state.
The andesite-like tamper concept used in early bombs doubled as a neutron reflector, buying precious microseconds of criticality delay.
The first atomic bombs used two different explosive lenses to shape a symmetric blast, not a single big explosive.
During WWII, uranium-235 and plutonium-239 triggered cores required precisely tuned timing down to the microsecond to avoid pre-detonation.
Some early designs relied on conventional explosive lenses shaped like glasses to compress plutonium into the supercritical state.
The andesite-like tamper concept used in early bombs doubled as a neutron reflector, buying precious microseconds of criticality delay.
