Editing Implosion (mechanical process) (section)

== Examples ==

===Nuclear weapons===
In an implosion-type [[nuclear weapon design]], a sphere of [[plutonium]], [[uranium]], or other [[fissile]] material is imploded by a spherical arrangement of explosive charges. This decreases the material's volume and thus increases its density by a factor of two to three, causing it to reach [[critical mass]] and create a [[nuclear explosion]].

In some forms of [[thermonuclear weapons]], the energy from this explosion is then used to implode a capsule of fusion fuel before igniting it, causing a [[nuclear fusion|fusion reaction]] (see [[Teller–Ulam design]]). In general, the use of radiation to implode something, as in a hydrogen bomb or in laser driven [[inertial confinement fusion]], is known as [[radiation implosion]].

===Fluid dynamics===
[[Cavitation]] (bubble formation/collapse in a fluid) involves an implosion process. When a cavitation bubble forms in a liquid (for example, by a high-speed water [[propeller]]), this bubble is typically rapidly collapsed—imploded—by the surrounding liquid.

===Astrophysics===
Implosion is a key part of the [[gravitational collapse]] of large [[star]]s, which can lead to the creation of [[supernova]]s, [[neutron star]]s and [[black hole]]s. 

In the most common case, the innermost part of a large star (called the [[stellar core|core]]) stops burning and without this source of [[heat]], the forces holding [[electron]]s and [[proton]]s apart are no longer strong enough to do so. The core collapses in on itself exceedingly quickly, and becomes a [[neutron star]] or [[black hole]]; the outer layers of the original star fall inwards and may rebound off the newly created neutron star (if one was created), creating a [[supernova]].

=== Cathode-ray tube and fluorescent lighting implosion ===
A high vacuum exists within all [[cathode-ray tube]]s. If the outer glass envelope is damaged, a dangerous implosion may occur. The implosion may scatter glass pieces at dangerous speeds. While modern CRTs used in televisions and computer displays have epoxy-bonded face-plates or other measures to prevent shattering of the envelope, CRTs removed from equipment must be handled carefully to avoid injury.<ref name='Bali'>{{cite book | last = Bali | first = S.P. | title = Colour Television: Theory and Practice | publisher = Tata McGraw-Hill | date = 1994-06-01 | page = 129 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=53nnX4fnnNIC&pg=PA129 | isbn = 9780074600245 | url-status = live | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170321123205/https://books.google.com/books?id=53nnX4fnnNIC&pg=PA129 | archivedate = 2017-03-21 }}</ref>

[[File:CRT implosion.JPG|thumb|Implosion of a CRT, photographed with a high speed [[air-gap flash]] ]]
[[File:Imploding vacuum tube.JPG|thumb|Imploding [[vacuum tube]], photographed with high speed [[air-gap flash]] ]]

===Controlled structure demolition===
{{main|Building implosion}}
The [[demolition]] of large buildings using precisely placed and timed explosions so that the structure collapses on itself is often erroneously described as ''implosion''.