nuclear weapon
nuclear weapon Device whose enormous explosive force derives from the reactions of nuclear
fission (splitting a heavy atomic nucleus in two) or
fusion reactions (combining light atomic nuclei). In August 1945, the United States dropped the first
atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of
Hiroshima and
Nagasaki. The bombs consisted of two stable, sub-critical masses of
uranium or
plutonium which, when brought forcefully together, caused the
critical mass to be exceeded, thus initiating an uncontrolled nuclear
chain reaction. In such detonations, huge amounts of energy and harmful radiation are released: the explosive force can be equivalent to 20,000 tonnes of
TNT. The
hydrogen bomb consists of an atomic bomb that on explosion provides a temperature high enough to cause nuclear fusion in a surrounding solid layer, usually lithium deuteride. The explosive power can be that of several million tonnes (megatons) of TNT. Devastation from such bombs covers a wide area: a 15-megaton bomb will cause all flammable material within 20km (12mi) to burst into flame. A third type of weapon, the
neutron bomb, is a small hydrogen bomb, also called an enhanced radiation weapon, that produces a small blast but a very intense burst of high-speed
neutrons. The lack of heat and blast means that buildings are not heavily damaged. The neutrons, however, produce intense radiation sickness in people located within a certain range, killing those affected within a week.
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Nuclear-weapon threat haunts humanity `as intensely as ever', Preparatory Committee told, as general debate concludes.
M2 Presswire; 4/29/2004; 700+ words
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News Wire article from: US Fed News Service, Including US State News; 10/1/2007; 700+ words
; ...goal of reducing the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile but it also...s vision of transforming the nuclear weapons complex into one that is smaller...dismantled the last W56-type nuclear weapon in the U.S. stockpile. Currently...
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Toward a nuclear-weapon-free world: a Chinese perspective.
Magazine article from: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists; 3/1/1994; ; 700+ words
; ...nuclear weapons - banning the possession of nuclear weapons by all nations. A comprehensive nuclear-weapon test ban is SO important politically as to lay the foundation for total nuclear disarmament. Consequently, the U.S...
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Nuclear-weapon-free zones, bolstering global non-proliferation regime, among issues addressed, as First Committee approves 21 draft texts; Importance of test-ban treaty, risk of Middle East nuclear proliferation, assurances for non-nuclear-weapon states also highlighted; page 1 of 4.
M2 Presswire; 10/26/2005; 700+ words
; ...establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, assure non-nuclear weapons States against the threat of use of nuclear weapons, and bolster...assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons (Annex X). A draft...
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Nuclear Weapons Talk on the Rise
News Wire article from: AP Online; 3/22/2002; ; 700+ words
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NUCLEAR WEAPONS COMPLEX MODERNIZATION:STEPHEN M. YOUNGER
Transcript from: Congressional Testimony; 7/17/2008; 700+ words
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Nuclear weapons, ethics, morals, and law
Magazine article from: Brigham Young University Law Review; 1/1/2000; ; 700+ words
; ...developing nuclear weapons by the commitment of the nuclear weapon states to negotiate nuclear disarmament.17 The...military23 dimensions of nuclear weapon policy, including...may arise because the weapons' effects actually...
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Abolition of Nuclear Weapons: Joint Declaration by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Slovenia, South Africa, and Sweden
Magazine article from: Peacework; 7/1/1998; 700+ words
; ...perspective of the indefinite possession of nuclear weapons by the nuclear-weapon states, as well as by those three nuclear...non-use or threat of use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states. 15. The conclusion of the Treaties...
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Nuclear Weapons in a Transformed World.
Magazine article from: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists; 7/1/1998; ; 700+ words
; ...if not most of their weapons in ready-to-use...virtual arsenals, nuclear weapon nations would dismantle...be incorporated into weapons within months. At...underestimate the importance of weapon assembly facilities...a pinch can produce weapons-grade plutonium; and even nuclear ...
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Nuclear Weapons We Don't Need
Newspaper article from: The Washington Post; 5/14/2003; ; 700+ words
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Nuclear Weapons
Encyclopedia entry from: West's Encyclopedia of American Law
...possession of nuclear weapons is prohibited by all states, except for the Nuclear Weapon States (NWS). The treaty...disarmament, the Non-Nuclear Weapon States (NNWS) pledged not to acquire nuclear weapons. As an incentive, the...
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nuclear weapons
Book article from: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition
...Israel also has nuclear weapons but has not confirmed...Korea has conducted a nuclear test explosion but probably...readily deliverable nuclear weapon; and South Africa formerly...or soon could, make nuclear weapons. In addition to the...
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nuclear weapon(s) accident
Book article from: The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military
nuclear weapon(s) accident an unexpected event involving nuclear weapons or radiological nuclear weapon components that results in any of the following: a. accidental or unauthorized launching, firing, or use by U.S. forces or U.S...
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nuclear weapon
Book article from: World Encyclopedia
nuclear weapon Device whose enormous explosive force derives from the reactions of nuclear fission (splitting a heavy atomic nucleus...exceeded, thus initiating an uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction . In such detonations...
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Non‐Proliferation Of Nuclear Weapons, Treaty on The
Book article from: The Oxford Companion to American Military History
...x2010;Proliferation Of Nuclear Weapons, Treaty on The (1968...five countries that had nuclear weapons by 1967—...from acquiring nuclear weapons. The treaty has created...should not use their nuclear weapons against any member...
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