In an atomic bomb, energy release is due to the uncontrolled fission of plutonium 239Pu (or 235U). The bomb's rating is the magnitude of the released energy, specified in terms of the mass of TNT required to produce the same energy release. One megaton of TNT releases 2.6 ( 1028 MeV of energy.
(a) Calculate the rating, in tons of TNT, of an atomic bomb containing 95.0 kg of 239Pu, of which 2.5 kg actually undergoes fission. (See Problem 4.)
(b) Why is the other 92.5 kg of 239Pu needed if it does not fission?