Nuclear Proliferation By Brad Dougherty

How Nuclear Bombs Work

Types of Bombs Fission bombs Gun-triggered fission bomb (Little Boy), which was detonated over Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945 Implosion-triggered fission bomb (Fat Man), which was detonated over Nagasaki, Japan, in 1945 Fusion bombs Teller-Ulam design of a hydrogen fusion bomb , which was test-detonated on Elugelap Island in 1952

Fission bombs

Gun-triggered fission bomb (Little Boy), which was detonated over Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945

Implosion-triggered fission bomb (Fat Man), which was detonated over Nagasaki, Japan, in 1945

Fusion bombs

Teller-Ulam design of a hydrogen fusion bomb , which was test-detonated on Elugelap Island in 1952

Gun Method - Fission Requires 20-25kg of Uranium-235 Easy to make but inefficient “ Little Boy”, the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, was this type of bomb The explosives fire and propel the bullet down the barrel. The bullet strikes the sphere and generator, initiating the fission reaction. The fission reaction begins. The bomb explodes.

Requires 20-25kg of Uranium-235

Easy to make but inefficient

“ Little Boy”, the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, was this type of bomb

The explosives fire and propel the bullet down the barrel.

The bullet strikes the sphere and generator, initiating the fission reaction.

The fission reaction begins.

The bomb explodes.

Implosion Method - Fission Uses plutonium, rather than uranium “ Fat Man” was of this type The explosives fired, creating a shock wave. The shock wave compressed the core. The fission reaction began. The bomb exploded.

Uses plutonium, rather than uranium

“ Fat Man” was of this type

The explosives fired, creating a shock wave.

The shock wave compressed the core.

The fission reaction began.

The bomb exploded.

Thermonuclear Weapons (Fusion) Many use the Teller-Ulam design There are a few different designs, but the full details of such weapons have not been declassified

Many use the Teller-Ulam design

There are a few different designs, but the full details of such weapons have not been declassified

Effects of a nuclear explosion The energy released from a nuclear weapon comes in four primary categories: Blast—40-60% of total energy Thermal radiation—30-50% of total energy Ionizing radiation—5% of total energy Residual radiation (fallout)—5-10% of total energy Blast Radius – the area around the blast in which total destruction occurs Heat Effect Radius – the area around the blast where fires and scorching may occur

The energy released from a nuclear weapon comes in four primary categories:

Blast—40-60% of total energy

Thermal radiation—30-50% of total energy

Ionizing radiation—5% of total energy

Residual radiation (fallout)—5-10% of total energy

Blast Radius – the area around the blast in which total destruction occurs

Heat Effect Radius – the area around the blast where fires and scorching may occur

Nuclear Testing

Nuclear Tests There have been approximately 2,000 nuclear tests to date: U.S.: 1,030 tests (involving 1,125 devices) Soviet Union: 715 tests France: 210 tests Britain: 45 tests China: 45 tests India: 6 tests Pakistan: 6 tests

There have been approximately 2,000 nuclear tests to date:

U.S.: 1,030 tests (involving 1,125 devices)

Soviet Union: 715 tests

France: 210 tests

Britain: 45 tests

China: 45 tests

India: 6 tests

Pakistan: 6 tests

Alleged Tests Japan There is a report that says that the Japanese may have been able to test in Korea on August 12, 1945 Israel/South Africa May have detonated a nuclear device on September 22, 1979 in the Indian Ocean North Korea September 9, 2004 it was reported that there had been a large explosion at the Chinese/North Korean border

Japan

There is a report that says that the Japanese may have been able to test in Korea on August 12, 1945

Israel/South Africa

May have detonated a nuclear device on September 22, 1979 in the Indian Ocean

North Korea

September 9, 2004 it was reported that there had been a large explosion at the Chinese/North Korean border

Nuclear Test Images Operation Trinity Operation Crossroads Able & Baker

Nuclear Arms Control

Limited Test Ban Treaty (1963) Intended to obtain an agreement on general and complete disarmament under strict international control in accordance with the objectives of the United Nations Objectives: to put an end to the armaments race eliminate incentives for the production and testing of all kinds of weapons, including nuclear weapons

Intended to obtain an agreement on general and complete disarmament under strict international control in accordance with the objectives of the United Nations

Objectives:

to put an end to the armaments race

eliminate incentives for the production and testing of all kinds of weapons, including nuclear weapons

Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (1968) 5 states permitted to have nuclear weapons: United States, United Kingdom, France, Soviet Union (Russia), China The 5 Nuclear Weapons States (NWS) agree not to transfer nuclear weapons technology to other states Non-NWS state parties agree not to seek to develop nuclear weapons

5 states permitted to have nuclear weapons:

United States, United Kingdom, France, Soviet Union (Russia), China

The 5 Nuclear Weapons States (NWS) agree not to transfer nuclear weapons technology to other states

Non-NWS state parties agree not to seek to develop nuclear weapons

NPT (continued) On May 11, 1995, more than 170 countries decided to extend the treaty indefinitely and without conditions Only 4 countries that belong to the UN have not signed this treaty: India, Pakistan, Israel, and Cuba

On May 11, 1995, more than 170 countries decided to extend the treaty indefinitely and without conditions

Only 4 countries that belong to the UN have not signed this treaty:

India, Pakistan, Israel, and Cuba

Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1996) Bans all nuclear explosions in all environments, for military or civilian purposes Basic Obligations: Each State agrees not to carry out a nuclear weapon explosion and prevent such explosions under its jurisdiction Each State will refrain from causing, encouraging, or in any way participating in the carrying out of any nuclear weapon explosion

Bans all nuclear explosions in all environments, for military or civilian purposes

Basic Obligations:

Each State agrees not to carry out a nuclear weapon explosion and prevent such explosions under its jurisdiction

Each State will refrain from causing, encouraging, or in any way participating in the carrying out of any nuclear weapon explosion

The End