Can a Supernova Bomb Be Created Using Electromagnets and Uranium?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility of creating a supernova-like explosion using a chamber with electromagnets and unstable uranium. Participants explore the theoretical implications of the proposed design, which involves compressing uranium to neutron star densities using protons and neutrons, and the potential for such a device to produce a significant explosion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a design involving a lead chamber, electromagnets, and a ball of unstable uranium and osmium, suggesting that injecting protons and neutrons could lead to a massive explosion.
  • Another participant argues that the proposed method would require an impractical amount of mass (10 solar masses) to achieve the necessary pressure for a supernova-like event.
  • Some participants question the feasibility of compressing matter to the density of a neutron star and challenge the assumptions made in the original proposal.
  • There are discussions about the mechanics of hydrogen bombs and how they differ from the proposed design, with some suggesting that the original concept resembles a fission bomb rather than a supernova mechanism.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the knowledge of another contributor, suggesting that their understanding of physics is lacking.
  • Another participant mentions the potential for a more efficient bomb using electrostatics instead of traditional explosives, but questions the relevance to supernova phenomena.
  • Several participants express confusion over the relationship between the proposed design and actual supernova processes, with one stating that a supernova requires a star of significant mass to collapse under its own gravity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the feasibility of the proposed design. There are multiple competing views regarding the mechanics of nuclear explosions, the role of electromagnets, and the comparison to existing bomb designs. The discussion remains unresolved with ongoing debate and skepticism.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in the original proposal, including assumptions about the ability to achieve neutron star densities and the energy requirements for such a process. There are also references to the complexities of nuclear physics that are not fully addressed in the discussion.

Will the supernova bomb work?

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Kalrag
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Here, tell me if this will work. A chamber made of thick lead is taken and a vacuum is put on it. There are electromagnets between the lead. A ball of unstable uranium and osmium that is plated with iron is put in the chamber and suspended by the magnets. Then protons and neutrons are injected into the chamber. For the bomb to go off the electricity in the magnets will spike tremedously. The protons will squeeze the ball to the density of a neutron star for a split second. Then the neutrons who have a weaker magnetic field will be delayed and come in after the protons. The neutrons will then split the uranium atom in a HUGE explosion. So, will it work?
 
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Kalrag said:
Here, tell me if this will work. A chamber made of thick lead is taken and a vacuum is put on it. There are electromagnets between the lead. A ball of unstable uranium and osmium that is plated with iron is put in the chamber and suspended by the magnets. Then protons and neutrons are injected into the chamber. For the bomb to go off the electricity in the magnets will spike tremedously. The protons will squeeze the ball to the density of a neutron star for a split second. Then the neutrons who have a weaker magnetic field will be delayed and come in after the protons. The neutrons will then split the uranium atom in a HUGE explosion. So, will it work?

It will work if you use about 10 solar masses. :)

Otherwise I think the proposed method will fall short of producing the needed pressure by MANY orders of magnitude, and the energy required will be larger than you can get from fissioning the uranium.
 
but would it make a bigger blast than normal?
 
Try calculating the energy necessary to compress a macroscopic ball of matter (say 10 kg) to nuclear density.
 
Kalrag said:
The protons will squeeze the ball to the density of a neutron star for a split second.
Not to rain on your parade, but how is that even possible with your scenario?
 
Is there something about the current hydrogen bomb that you think doesn't cut it?

Forget magnets, a hydrogen bomb compresses its core by exploding several atom bombs around it.
 
DaveC426913 said:
Forget magnets, a hydrogen bomb compresses its core by exploding several atom bombs around it.

:confused: :bugeye:
 
"Try calculating the energy necessary to compress a macroscopic ball of matter (say 10 kg) to nuclear density."

What do you mean? And how would i do that?
 
  • #10
MATLABdude said:
A fission bomb (few kT TNT equivalent) compresses the fusion fuel, thus igniting the fusion bomb (MT TNT equivalent).
Yeah, I'm familiar with the concept. It was the "several atom bombs around it" part that threw me off. That particular phrasing suggests something quite different (to me, at least).
 
  • #11
Kalrag said:
Here, tell me if this will work. A chamber made of thick lead is taken and a vacuum is put on it. There are electromagnets between the lead. A ball of unstable uranium and osmium that is plated with iron is put in the chamber and suspended by the magnets. Then protons and neutrons are injected into the chamber. For the bomb to go off the electricity in the magnets will spike tremedously. The protons will squeeze the ball to the density of a neutron star for a split second. Then the neutrons who have a weaker magnetic field will be delayed and come in after the protons. The neutrons will then split the uranium atom in a HUGE explosion. So, will it work?

lol, I know from personal experience a "nova bomb" would be possible to make. I must say, however, that your ideas of the design are a bit off ;)

P.S. Long Live Liberty
 
  • #12
Elijah said:
lol, I know from personal experience a "nova bomb" would be possible to make.

Yah. Atomic Physicists often lol. :rolleyes:
 
  • #13
DaveC426913 said:
Yah. Atomic Physicists often lol. :rolleyes:

lol, I'm no atomic physicist, I just know people involved in the making of such a device within the U.S. Gov. - that's why I said long live liberty, but you guys wouldn't know why I say that ;)
 
  • #14
Elijah said:
lol, I'm no atomic physicist, I just know people involved in the making of such a device within the U.S. Gov. - that's why I said long live liberty, but you guys wouldn't know why I say that ;)

How mysterious of you.
 
  • #15
DaveC426913 said:
How mysterious of you.

Is it?

P.S."Doesn't it hurt when you think, THEN STOP DOING IT!" (quote from someone I know ((not a movie or book title I mean somebody that I know)
 
  • #16
Allright let's get back on topic. Elijah, you said that you know its possible but my design is off a bit. Can tell me what's wrong with it and help me fix it? Help me out here, you know what your talking about.
 
  • #17
Elijah said:
lol, I'm no atomic physicist, I just know people involved in the making of such a device within the U.S. Gov. - that's why I said long live liberty

With no particular offense intended, there is nothing that says "loss of liberty" more than having the Yank military in charge of any kind of arsenal. It might work for your population, but to the rest of the world it's just "bully" tactics.
 
  • #18
Kalrag said:
Allright let's get back on topic. Elijah, you said that you know its possible but my design is off a bit. Can tell me what's wrong with it and help me fix it? Help me out here, you know what your talking about.

His 1 other post on this forum shows he doesn't know the very basics of physics. I'd consider someone else for a source of information.
 
  • #19
What the OP is describing sounds to me like a regular gun-type uranium fission bomb, but using electrostatics instead of gunpowder. I suppose if you had powerful enough magnets, this could result in a more efficient bomb, since you could accelerate the critical mass together faster than with chemical explosives. However I don't see how this has anything to do with supernovas?
 
  • #20
QuantumPion said:
don't see how this has anything to do with supernovas?

It has nothing to do with them. A supernova requires a star of at least 3.2 Solar masses to collapse under its own gravity.
What the OP suggested seems to be a kindergarten explanation of a neutron bomb, aside from the actual operating principles—H-bomb with a standard A-bomb trigger, wrapped in a U-238 jacket which spits out prodigious amounts of neutrons when bombarded from within by the fusion output.
 
  • #21
Danger said:
With no particular offense intended, there is nothing that says "loss of liberty" more than having the Yank military in charge of any kind of arsenal. It might work for your population, but to the rest of the world it's just "bully" tactics.

lol, what I said was that I know people INVOLVED in the U.S. Gov.'s creation of this device, not that THEY were the ones making it.

P.S. If anything I stated previously something 'suggestive' to the idea that I knew guys trying to stop its creation ;)
 
  • #22
Pengwuino said:
His 1 other post on this forum shows he doesn't know the very basics of physics. I'd consider someone else for a source of information.

And what knowledge do you know of that says that my statements -intentionally vague- otherwise (not vague ) would be anything but following directly along today's physics. perhaps one should not judge that an answer is wrong until they know the right one (semi-metaphorically speaking)

p.s. and If I truly was then so are the people who designed a theoretically functional version of it who work within the government of the united states

P.S.S LONG LIVE LIBERTY
 
  • #23
Back on topic people. Elijah please, so fart your the only one that said yes in the poll. Help me here.
 
  • #24
Elijah said:
And what knowledge do you know of that says that my statements -intentionally vague- otherwise (not vague ) would be anything but following directly along today's physics. perhaps one should not judge that an answer is wrong until they know the right one (semi-metaphorically speaking)

p.s. and If I truly was then so are the people who designed a theoretically functional version of it who work within the government of the united states

P.S.S LONG LIVE LIBERTY

I know someone somewhere at some point who may or may not have told me that I know everything. Maybe.

They work for the French though.
 
  • #25
Kalrag said:
Here, tell me if this will work. A chamber made of thick lead is taken and a vacuum is put on it. There are electromagnets between the lead. A ball of unstable uranium and osmium that is plated with iron is put in the chamber and suspended by the magnets. Then protons and neutrons are injected into the chamber. For the bomb to go off the electricity in the magnets will spike tremedously. The protons will squeeze the ball to the density of a neutron star for a split second. Then the neutrons who have a weaker magnetic field will be delayed and come in after the protons. The neutrons will then split the uranium atom in a HUGE explosion. So, will it work?
No - it is an inane scenario and reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of physics.

Thread locked.
 
Last edited:

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