PLUTONIUM TRIGGER Meaning and
Definition
-
Plutonium trigger refers to a device or component utilized in the design of nuclear weapons to initiate the nuclear chain reaction that produces an explosion. It is an essential mechanism within a nuclear bomb that initiates the detonation process.
The term "plutonium trigger" typically refers to a small amount of plutonium-239, a highly radioactive and fissile isotope. Plutonium-239 is chosen due to its exceptional capability to sustain a self-sustaining chain reaction when bombarded with sufficient neutrons. The dense and highly unstable plutonium material is crafted into an intricate mechanism to achieve critical mass and trigger a rapid and uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction.
The design and engineering of a plutonium trigger require expert precision and control. Usually, a conventional high-explosive, such as TNT, surrounds the plutonium core, acting as a powerful trigger mechanism. When the conventional explosive is detonated, it generates an intense implosion that compresses the plutonium core into a smaller volume. This compression increases the density of the plutonium, causing the atoms to collide with each other at an accelerated rate. This leads to the formation of a critical mass, allowing a supercritical and explosive chain reaction to occur.
The utilization of a plutonium trigger within nuclear weapons emphasizes its crucial role in the detonation process and the release of massive amounts of energy. Due to its immense potential for destruction, the possession, production, and use of plutonium triggers are strictly regulated at a global level.
Common Misspellings for PLUTONIUM TRIGGER
- olutonium trigger
- llutonium trigger
- -lutonium trigger
- 0lutonium trigger
- pkutonium trigger
- pputonium trigger
- poutonium trigger
- plytonium trigger
- plhtonium trigger
- pljtonium trigger
- plitonium trigger
- pl8tonium trigger
- pl7tonium trigger
- pluronium trigger
- plufonium trigger
- plugonium trigger
- pluyonium trigger
- plu6onium trigger
- plu5onium trigger
- plutinium trigger
Etymology of PLUTONIUM TRIGGER
The word "plutonium trigger" consists of two components: "plutonium" and "trigger".
1. Plutonium:
The term "plutonium" derives from the name of the element itself. Plutonium is a radioactive chemical element that was first synthesized in 1940 by a team of scientists led by Glenn T. Seaborg and Edwin McMillan. They named the element after the planet Pluto, which had been discovered with the assistance of a telescope just a few years earlier in 1930. Pluto was named after the Roman god of the underworld, likely because of its characteristic as a dark and distant planet, similar to the radiation emanating from plutonium.
2. Trigger:
The term "trigger" has its roots in the English language and dates back to the 17th century.
Similar spelling word for PLUTONIUM TRIGGER
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
