Topic: how small is the smallest possible atomic bomb yield?

Sheila LaBoof started this discussion 5 years ago #101,857

For instance, is it theoretically possible for a tiny atomic bomb to be built so that it no more harmful than a firecracker?

Anonymous B joined in and replied with this 5 years ago, 1 minute later[^] [v] #1,150,640

The smallest known to man is exactly the size of...Brian Peppers.

dw !p9hU6ckyqw joined in and replied with this 5 years ago, 18 hours later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #1,150,915

Depends who you ask to theorise it

Coil E. Leafeon !QnI1ArmPmY joined in and replied with this 5 years ago, 4 hours later, 23 hours after the original post[^] [v] #1,151,040

@previous (dw !p9hU6ckyqw)
ant-man

dw !p9hU6ckyqw replied with this 5 years ago, 7 hours later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #1,151,108

@previous (Coil E. Leafeon !QnI1ArmPmY)
He definitely would do all kinds of theories

19bitch !/nxYguuEzA joined in and replied with this 5 years ago, 7 hours later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #1,151,181

@OP

The minimum size for an atomic bomb would be a single critical mass of plutonium. This would weigh 10.5 kilograms. This would not cause a significant explosion, however. You would need to add a little more, lets say a bit over a dozen kilograms in total, to get a significant yield. Even still the explosion wouldn't be nearly as big as a normal atomic bomb, but it would still be far more dangerous than any non-atomic bomb because of the intense radiation.

Fun fact - the smallest atomic bomb ever used was the W-54 Davy Crockett warhead, with a minimum mass of just 23 kilograms and less than half a meter long.

Sources: background knowledge and https://nuclearweaponarchive.org/News/DoSuitcaseNukesExist.html

@1,151,040 (Coil E. Leafeon !QnI1ArmPmY)
According to the crackpot physics of the MCU, using Pym particles to shrink an atomic bomb shouldn't cause it to go critical, and you could still deploy it as normal - however, the explosion itself would also min shrunk. Although, I would assume the emitted radiation would be just as lethal, leading to what could be a very efficient radiation bomb.

blom joined in and replied with this 5 years ago, 1 hour later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #1,151,205

@previous (19bitch !/nxYguuEzA)

You could kill people by putting atomic bombs in their food

Anonymous G joined in and replied with this 5 years ago, 1 day later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #1,151,552

One atom.

Minichan