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Questions tagged [nuclear]

For questions about atomic nuclear phenomena and their effects on the world. For heat and power generation applications of nuclear phenomena, use [nuclear-power]. For weapons relying on nuclear phenomena, consider [nuclear weapons] and [weapon-mass-destruction]. Compare [radioactivity], [weak-force] and [strong-force].

3 votes
3 answers
340 views

Theorietically, what would be the ecological impact of ITER losing containment?

Currently a megaproject called ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) is being built in France. The device would use magnetic containment of plasma reacting at temperatures of over ...
Chameleon's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
159 views

Given the materials of a nuclear reactor, what is the most effective body of water to threaten pollution on?

I have a colony of semi-post-apocalyptic survivors who have created a deterrence scenario involving their access to both a nuclear reactor and some body(s) of water. Ideally, I'd like the water to be ...
Seph Reed's user avatar
  • 119
4 votes
2 answers
243 views

How would mountainous landscape look like after remodelling it with nuclear warheads?

As conclusion of this question it seems that under a dense atmosphere it would be a good idea to place the main city in mountains. Just there is the inconvenient issue that top of mountains lack flat ...
Shadow1024's user avatar
  • 10.1k
3 votes
3 answers
519 views

Is antimatter boosted nuclear weapon theoretically possible?

Are there any fundamental obstacles to using a nuclear explosion as a trigger for antimatter generation and thus considerably increasing the yield?
Anna Naymus's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
120 views

If the nucleons in an atom were heavier, could it still be stable? [closed]

If the protons and neutrons had, say, a hundred times more mass than they normally do, could the atom overall still be stable? Would it affect the atom's electron cloud somehow, or would it still be ...
Yaro's user avatar
  • 51
6 votes
3 answers
585 views

Are there semi plausible scenarios where Nuclear Winter could last a thousand years or trigger an ice age?

Trying to develop a fictional scenario with a 'believable' theory as to how a Nuclear War and resulting Nuclear Winter could turn into a millennial scale ice age. By 'believable', I mean that it ...
John D's user avatar
  • 164
6 votes
3 answers
400 views

What is the minimum practical size for buildings heated by small nuclear reactor?

In the book Early Riser by Jasper Fforde, humans hibernate in large dormitories. These circular buildings range in size from 20 to 60 floors, with around two dozen rooms per floor. While the residents ...
Stephen Meschke's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
357 views

How feasible is this gravity-altering exotic matter I’ve conceived? Would it have any unforseen consequences?

Ok so I was thinking about a way to hypothetically have undiscovered elements with bizarre properties (for unobtainium purposes). And an idea hit me: replace nucleons with heavier but stable ...
Locaq's user avatar
  • 609
-1 votes
6 answers
275 views

Why wouldn't my nuclear spaceships eject spent fuel?

In the year 2069AD, a spaceship is transporting hundreds of people in cryogenic sleep to a distant star. The spaceship engine is a nuclear fission reactor and its thruster is based on an ion drive for ...
user6760's user avatar
  • 48k
0 votes
1 answer
90 views

Life on other planets via nuclear signal

A nuclear explosion in space? Directing a nuclear explosion is difficult even in theory, but is it possible to direct one in space, with a trajectory and width of a significant diameter and wavelength ...
Evan's user avatar
  • 11
2 votes
4 answers
1k views

Solar Flare disabling Nuclear Weapon defenses?

I have a nuclear post-apocalypse that isn't 100% depressing. It's only 95% so. /s I was contemplating an origin story of a solar flare doing some rather nasty things to circuitry related to nuclear ...
Firemorfox's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
1k views

Cooking using nuclear bombs [closed]

This question is completely just for fun! :) So in one of my classes, some boys on an another table were debating whether you could toast a marshmallow for smores using a nuclear blast from a nuclear ...
Aaron's user avatar
  • 557
26 votes
11 answers
8k views

Nuclear magic: Surviving your own spells

TLDR: Portals to other places; wizards use them to make nukes-as-fireballs/anti-personal level attacks, how do they survive? In a system of magic that functions around opening portals, what ...
Marky's user avatar
  • 4,686
-1 votes
1 answer
1k views

What would happen if you went swimming in a spent fuel pool?

If one of my modern-day characters, a nuclear power-plant worker decides to take a swim in one of these pools, what will happen? Would he die, get sick, or not much?
Cloud's user avatar
  • 196
0 votes
2 answers
166 views

Stopping a nuclear missile? [closed]

Would you be able to stop a nuclear missile by hitting it with a liquid nitrogen missile, As a means to prevent the nuclear radiation from spreading or falling to the ground from impact?
Ted's user avatar
  • 11

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