For a nuclear weapon to explode normally, the fissionable material in its core must be assembled very quickly. For technical reasons, a nuclear bomb developed by a terrorist group would probably not achieve such rapid assembly. As a result of its slow assembly, such a bomb would
A. explode powerfully, but at a relatively unpredictable moment. To shorten the time window over which the explosion could occur, external nuclear triggers would be needed.
B. not explode because there would not be enough momentum present to push the neutrons into the fissionable nuclei of its core.
C. overheat and push itself apart during the assembly, producing only a weak explosion.
D. not explode because there would not be enough energy present to push the neutrons into the fissionable nuclei of its core.
Answer:C
For a nuclear weapon to explode normally, the fissionable material in its core must be assembled very quickly. For technical reasons, a nuclear bomb developed by a terrorist group would probably not achieve such rapid assembly. As a result of its slow assembly, such a bomb would
A. explode powerfully, but at a relatively unpredictable moment. To shorten the time window over which the explosion could occur, external nuclear triggers would be needed. B. not explode because there would not be enough momentum present to push the neutrons into the fissionable nuclei of its core. C. overheat and push itself apart during the assembly, producing only a weak explosion. D. not explode because there would not be enough energy present to push the neutrons into the fissionable nuclei of its core.