Fission, Fusion & Bomb Designs

Questions to be answered in this lecture:

  • What are the basics of nuclear fission?
  • What were the first nuclear bombs and how did they work?
  • How did single-stage fission bombs change after 1945?
  • What are multiple-stage fusion weapons designs and how do they work?

Click the pages below to access the lecture materials:

Lecture:  Primers, presentation slides, and video.
Readings:  Required and recommended readings.
Exam:  Questions on lecture and reading materials.