How is weapons-grade uranium different from ordinary uranium?

Uranium comes in several isotopes - U238 and U235 being the very most common. Isotopes have differing number of neutrons. The U238 is by far the most plentiful accounting for about 99.3% of Uranium mined. The last .7% is U235 and .005% U234. read more

Uranium comes in several isotopes - U238 and U235 being the very most common. Isotopes have differing number of neutrons. The U238 is by far the most plentiful accounting for about 99.3% of Uranium mined. The last .7% is U235 and .005% U234. Naturally occurring uranium comes mixed in the proportions listed above. read more

To reduce the concentration of Pu-240 in the plutonium produced, weapons program plutonium production reactors (e.g. B Reactor) irradiate the uranium for a far shorter time than is normal for a nuclear power reactor. More precisely, weapons-grade plutonium is obtained from uranium irradiated to a low burnup. read more

Shooting a U-235 bullet at a U-235 plate is insufficient to trigger a nuclear explosion. You need a critical mass of U-235 and having the mass come together at the right speed and stay together just long enough for the mass to become supercritical and explode. A bullet and plate is not enough and all that you’ll get is nuclear contamination. read more