cond subcritical mass to be propelled at a highvelocity into the first subcritical mass. The resulting combination causes the twosubcritical masses to become a supercritical mass. When this supercritical mass isobtained, a rapid self-sustained chain reaction is caused (World Book, 1990). This type ofatomic bomb was used on Hiroshima, and given the nickname “Little Boy” after FranklinD. Roosevelt (Outlaw Labs). The second type of atomic bomb is an implosion bomb. Inthis type a subcritical mass, which is in the shape of a ball, is placed in the center of theweapon. This subcritical mass is surrounded in a spherical arrangement of conventionalexplosives. When the fuse is triggered all of the conventional explosives explode at thesame time. This causes the subcritical mass to be compressed into a smaller volume, thuscreating a supercritical mass to be formed. After this supercritical mass is obtained, aself-sustained chain reaction takes place and causes the atomic explosion (World Book,1990). Thistype of stomic bomb was used on Nagasaki, and given the nickname “FatMan” after Winston Churchill (Outlaw Labs). The blast from an atomic bomb’s explosionwill last for only one-half to one second, but in this amount of time a great deal of damageis done (Physicians and Scientists on Nuclear War, 1981). A fireball is created by the blast,which consists mainly of dust and gasses. The dust produced in this fireball has nosubstantial effect on humans or their environment. However, as the gasses expand a blastwave is produced. As this blast wave moves, it creates static overpressure. This staticoverpressure then in turn creates dynamic pressure. The static overpressure has the powerto crush buildings. The dynamic pressure creates winds, which have the power to blowdown trees (International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, 1982). The blastpressure and fireball together only last for approximately eleven seconds...
