For uranium fueled atomic bombs ordinary gunpowders are adequate to assemble a critical mass without a fizzle.
For plutonium fueled atomic bombs high explosives must be used to assemble a critical mass without a fizzle. The first such bombs used Composition B (a predecessor of modern C-4) and Baritol. Modern bombs use shock and fire resistant plastic bonded explosives.
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Conventional high explosives, such as TNT or RDX, are typically used to compress the nuclear material in a nuclear weapon to achieve a supercritical mass and initiate the nuclear chain reaction.
No, a nuclear weapon will not explode if a nuclear-tipped missile is intercepted in the air by an anti-ballistic missile. The detonation process of a nuclear weapon requires specific conditions and triggers that are not present in a scenario where the missile is intercepted in the air.
A nuclear weapon typically contains a fissile material such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239, high explosives to trigger the nuclear chain reaction, and various components to control the explosion and enhance the weapon's efficiency.
Some of the components of nuclear weapons include a fissile material like uranium or plutonium, a triggering mechanism to initiate the nuclear chain reaction, and a delivery system such as a missile or bomber aircraft. Additionally, nuclear weapons may contain conventional high explosives and sophisticated electronics for arming and detonating the device.
A nuclear weapon detonation involves a chain reaction of nuclear fission or fusion reactions, releasing a vast amount of energy in the form of heat, light, and radiation. This results in a much larger explosion compared to conventional explosives, which rely on chemical reactions for energy release. The destructive power and long-term effects of a nuclear detonation can be far more significant than those of a conventional explosion.
A conventional bomb relies on chemical reactions to create an explosion, while an atomic bomb (nuclear bomb) uses nuclear reactions to release an enormous amount of energy, resulting in a much more powerful explosion. Atomic bombs are capable of causing significantly more destruction compared to conventional bombs.