Atomic Bomb vs. Nuclear Reactor: What is the difference?
Channel: Stefan Bracher
Date: 2020-11-19

In this video, I use a PhET simulation to show you the difference between nuclear fission in a power plant and in a nuclear bomb.

After reviewing fission, I talk about how this is used in a nuclear bomb. I discuss the challenge of getting to the critical mass of enriched uranium or plutonium isotopes to get a chain reaction. Finally, I compare the working principle of an atomic bomb to the one of a nuclear power plant. 
The video ends with a political note on nuclear proliferation - or why certain countries do not want some other countries to have access to any form of nuclear technology.

Simulation Credits: 
PhET Interactive Simulations
University of Colorado Boulder
http://phet.colorado.edu/

More on nuclear fission: https://youtu.be/3t2da6p6l-0?si=okHyZY6svaJXYA0V

#nuclearreactor #atomicbomb #nuclearphysics