Plutonium Trigger (Noun)
Meaning
A steel or beryllium sphere containing plutonium 239 that triggers nuclear fission when compressed by explosives.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The plutonium trigger is a crucial component in the nuclear implosion design of certain nuclear bombs.
- During nuclear tests, scientists carefully handle the plutonium trigger to ensure a controlled reaction.
- A team of engineers designed the outer casing to withstand intense pressures and safeguard the plutonium trigger within.
- In nuclear reactors, plutonium triggers are designed to prevent uncontrolled chain reactions from occurring.
- Experts speculate that the nuclear device's plutonium trigger had failed to properly compress due to a malfunction in the explosive casing.