# How does a neutron bomb work? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 8, 2004, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-neutron-bomb-work/268263 "2004-10-08T20:41:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-neutron-bomb-work/268263/1 "2004-10-08T20:41:37Z")
I get the concept of it killing people while not damaging property, but I’m curious about how it exactly works. Anyone know? ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-neutron-bomb-work/268263/2 "2004-10-08T20:48:35Z")
> **[Neutron bomb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_bomb)** > > A neutron bomb, officially defined as a type of enhanced radiation weapon (ERW), is a low-yield thermonuclear weapon designed to maximize lethal neutron radiation in the immediate vicinity of the blast while minimizing the physical power of the blast itself. The neutron release generated by a nuclear fusion reaction is intentionally allowed to escape the weapon, rather than being absorbed by its other components. The neutron burst, which is used as the primary destructive action of the warhead Th... ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-neutron-bomb-work/268263/3 "2004-10-09T01:49:56Z")
And it _will_ damage property, just not as much as a normal nuclear bomb will.