Atomic bomb, Atom bomb n. A bomb of great power in which the explosive energy is derived from the nuclear fission of a fissionable material, such as plutonium or uranium-235. It is a type of nuclear weapon. The strength of an atom bomb is measured in kilotons, i.e. the equivalent energy released by explosion of a thousand tons of TNT. The first atomic bomb was manufactured in 1945.
... they were certainly not reasonable. Was it reasonable to destroy almost all their tremendous civilization in atomic warfare over causes our historians can no longer accurately determine?" The Industrialist brooded over it. "From the dropping of the first atom bomb over those islands—I forget the ancient name—there was only one end in sight, and in plain sight. Yet events were allowed to ... — Youth • Isaac Asimov Read full book for free!