Why is it naturally difficult to make an atomic bomb?

You need a concentrated (“enriched”) lump of the less stable form, uranium-235, which is only about 1\% of naturally occurring uranium. (The other 99\%, uranium-238, doesn’t work for an atom bomb because it doesn’t split apart easily enough). So most countries fail to find enough nuclear fuel to make a bomb.

Why is a hydrogen bomb harder to make than an atomic bomb?

Barriers to building an H-bomb Second, H-bombs like the Tsar Bomba — the biggest bomb ever dropped — are too large for most aircraft, let alone long-range missiles. Creating an H-bomb small enough to fit on a nuclear warhead but still capable of devastating damage is therefore extremely difficult.

Why don’t more countries use nuclear weapons?

Most countries just don’t want or need nuclear weapons. The international community is also steadfastly opposed to the further proliferation of nuclear weapons. And nuclear weapons in many cases make a country less, not more safe.

What is an atomic bomb and how does it work?

Atom bombs – like those dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki – use conventional explosives to ignite nuclear fuel through the power of nuclear fission alone. The Manhattan Project, led by the United States and supported by Canada and the UK, produced the first atomic bombs.

Which countries are most likely to build the bomb?

Countries with territorial disputes with China—first and foremost, Japan— will have the strongest motivation to build the bomb. Unfortunately, for non-proliferation advocates, many of China’s neighbors—including Japan and South Korea— already have robust civilian nuclear programs.

How can a nuclear bomb not explode?

The bomb will explode once the critical mass of uranium or plutonium is brought together. So, to begin with, and to make sure that it doesn’t explode in the hands of its owners, the bomb needs to keep the metal separated into two or more parts.