What is the basic purpose of nuclear bomb?

The basic purpose of a nuclear bomb is to release a massive amount of energy through nuclear reactions, which can be used for various strategic and tactical objectives.

Destructive Power

Nuclear bombs derive their destructive force from either fission (splitting of atomic nuclei) or a combination of fission and fusion (merging of atomic nuclei) reactions. This process releases large quantities of energy, causing devastating effects through blast, heat, and radiation235.

Strategic and Tactical Uses

• Strategic Weapons: These are designed to target large-scale strategic assets such as an adversary’s nuclear arsenals, military bases, and population centers. Their primary goal is to deter war by the threat of mutually assured destruction12.
• Tactical Weapons: These have lower yields and shorter ranges, intended for use on the battlefield to target specific military objectives like bridges, dams, and enemy troop concentrations12.

Deterrence

A significant purpose of nuclear weapons is to serve as a deterrent against attacks by other nations. The strategy of nuclear deterrence relies on the threat of nuclear retaliation to prevent an initial attack, thereby maintaining a state of stable deterrence and preventing large-scale conflicts2.

In summary, the basic purpose of a nuclear bomb is to harness nuclear energy to create an explosion that can be used for both strategic deterrence and tactical military objectives, with the overarching goal of preventing war through the threat of devastating consequences.