ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Peaceful nuclear explosion

When certain substances inside an atom are made to split apart or break down it's called 'nuclear fission'. This nuclear fission process releases a lot of energy in the form of heat and light. This is what powers nuclear energy plants to create electricity without burning any fuel.

Now, imagine that instead of using nuclear fission to power a plant, we focus all that energy into one big explosion. This is what a 'peaceful nuclear explosion' is all about. The idea is to use the explosion for peaceful purposes like mining, building tunnels or creating a reservoir.

In these explosions, drills dig holes deep into the ground and place a nuclear device inside the hole. The device is set off and all the energy is released underground, creating a big boom. The shock waves created from this explosion can move a lot of earth and rocks, making it easier for miners to find what they're looking for. It also creates a path for new tunnels or reservoirs.

However, it’s important to remember that even though the explosion has peaceful intentions, nuclear explosions can still be very dangerous. The radioactive fallout can cause harm to people and the environment. So, it's very important that nuclear explosions are only carried out with proper safety measures and precautions.
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