how do you split an atom? and can it be turned into a weapon?

Question: how do you split an atom? and can it be turned into a weapon?
- Keywords:
  atom,
  split,
  weapon
Asked by shadowmanbenson7r2 to Amy, Drew, Julia, Kimberley, Sara on 15 Jun 2011. This question was also asked by kaffwyn.
- Sara Imari Walker answered on 14 Jun 2011:
  
  Hey shadowman! Atoms can be split by a process called nuclear fission. Fission breaks apart the nucleus (the interior part where the neutrons and protons hang out) of a heavy atom such as uranium, usually into two smaller atoms of about the same atomic weight (i.e. into two roughly equal pieces). This process releases A LOT of energy. Unfortunately it can be used to make weapons. The two atomic bombs released on Japan in WWII at Nagasaki and Hiroshima were both fission bombs. But fission also does a lot of good for humanity – like giving fairly clean energy through nuclear power plants.
- Drew Rae answered on 14 Jun 2011:
  
  Hi ShadowMan Benson. “Splitting” an atom is a slang way of talking about a reaction called nuclear fission. Nuclear fission happens slowly by itself in some special types of atoms, and it gives out particles and energy. When you get a lot of these types of atoms together, the energy and particles help other atoms do fission faster, so you can get a chain reaction.
  
  A normal chain reaction in a nuclear reactor has a maximum speed that is very hot, but under control. You can deliberately (not in a nuclear reactor, but in a bomb) make a chain reaction that is totally out of control, and then you get a really big explosion. That’s what an atom bomb is.
- Amy MacQueen answered on 15 Jun 2011:
  
  I think Sara and Drew answered this really well! 🙂
- Julia Griffen answered on 15 Jun 2011:
  
  As sara and drew said!
- Kimberley Bryon answered on 15 Jun 2011:
  
  Good question, I think the other scientists have done a good job. Not trying to make a weapon are you? 😉

Question: how do you split an atom? and can it be turned into a weapon?

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