Can a Magnetic Field Stop a Nuclear Bomb?

[MD Device]

So I was thinking about ways to stop the nuclear bomb and I know enough to say that it is close to impossible to stop a nuclear bomb once it has detonated. So, the only time to stop it is before it explodes. What if we generated a magnetic field in which the protons and electrons within it would rapidly come together to keep the initial atom together? Sort of like breaking one stick versus breaking one hundred sticks bound together.

 

[mathman]

Electrons have no role in a nuclear bomb.

 

[Astronuc]

Electrons have no role in a nuclear bomb.

Well, in the sense that the controls are electronic, electrons do play a role, as in any control system.

What if we generated a magnetic field in which the protons and electrons within it would rapidly come together to keep the initial atom together?

No, this is not how it works. Fission occurs in the nucleus, and an intense magnetic field will not affect the fission process. Certainly, damaging/disabling the control system and interlocks can prevent the system from initiating.

 

[nsaspook]

Ask Sledge Hammer.

 

[FactChecker]

In fact, the nuclear reaction is started by setting off an explosive shell the pushed the material tightly together.