# What's the smallest nuclear bomb that can be made?

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-smallest-nuclear-bomb-that-can-be-made/148707
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [January 15, 2003, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-smallest-nuclear-bomb-that-can-be-made/148707 "2003-01-15T07:50:11Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 2

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### Author: ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)
#### Post date: [January 16, 2003, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-smallest-nuclear-bomb-that-can-be-made/148707/21 "2003-01-16T20:40:23Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by caveman \*  
> **no, no…instead of having an explosive yeild equivalent to tons of TNT, I’d kinda like to see a nuke with a yeild equivalent to just a few milligrams of TNT, or a pinch of gunpowder or something. Instead of blowing up an ant mound with centuries-old technology (ho-hum), you could do it the modern way!**

You could always try industrial lasers, which are sort-of “atomic”. And you can hum the _Goldfinger_ theme while you do it.

Ants: You expect us to talk?  
You: No, I expect you to die!

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### Author: ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)
#### Post date: [January 16, 2003, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-smallest-nuclear-bomb-that-can-be-made/148707/22 "2003-01-16T20:48:13Z")

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It’s not just a question of the amount needed for critical mass, it is the casing required to direct a very precise charge of conventional explosives to set off the chain reaction.

A search for ‘suitcase bombs’ here will bring up discussions where it was described in more detail.

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### Author: ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)
#### Post date: [January 16, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-smallest-nuclear-bomb-that-can-be-made/148707/23 "2003-01-16T20:59:04Z")

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Well, if we’re using James Bond analogs, you could just go back to the tried-and-true method of using a magnifying glass, and say it’s the big reflective laser thingy from either Diamonds are Forever or Die Another Day. Just depends on whether you want to sing a John Barry tune or one by Madonna.

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