Changes

==Types of Nuclear Weapons==

==Types of Nuclear Weapons==

===Fission Bombs===

===Fission Bombs===

Fission bombs are characterized by a type of bomb where the nuclear force comes from a [[fission reaction]].  At it’s simplest, two sub-critical amounts of a fissile material are joined to form a [[critical mass]] which undergoes a spontaneous chain reaction.  Bombs such as these usually use isotopes of uranium (uranium-235, uranium-233) or plutonium-239 as the fissile material.

Fission bombs are characterized by a type of bomb where the nuclear force comes from a [[fission reaction]].  At it’s simplest, two sub-critical amounts of a fissile material are joined to form a [[critical mass]] which undergoes a spontaneous chain reaction.  Bombs such as these usually use isotopes of uranium (uranium-235, uranium-233) or plutonium-239 as the fissile material.

[[Little Boy]] and [[Fat Man]], developed and used in World War II by the United States are examples of fission bombs.

[[Little Boy]] and [[Fat Man]], developed and used in World War II by the United States are examples of fission bombs.

===Fusion Bombs===

===Fusion Bombs===

Fusion bombs, also known as Thermonuclear bombs, derive their energy from the fusion of atoms, usually either [[deuterium]] or [[tritium]], which are [[isotope|isotopes]] of Hydrogen.  Fusion of [[Hydrogen]] to [[Helium]] is the same process which causes our sun and stars to shine.

Fusion bombs, also known as Thermonuclear bombs, derive their energy from the fusion of atoms, usually either [[deuterium]] or [[tritium]], which are [[isotope|isotopes]] of Hydrogen.  Fusion of [[Hydrogen]] to [[Helium]] is the same process which causes our sun and stars to shine.

A thermonuclear detonation is typically started with the ignition of a compression fission bomb, which through a series of steps depending on the particular bomb design, produces temperatures and pressures high enough to ignite the fusion reaction of either the tititum of deuterium at the core of the bomb.     

A thermonuclear detonation is typically started with the ignition of a compression fission bomb, which through a series of steps depending on the particular bomb design, produces temperatures and pressures high enough to ignite the fusion reaction of either the tititum of deuterium at the core of the bomb.     

===Dirty Bomb===

===Dirty Bomb===

A dirty bomb is bomb designed to spread radioactive material through the detonation of conventional explosives.  A dirty bomb does not detonate it’s nuclear material during the explosion.   

A dirty bomb is bomb designed to spread radioactive material through the detonation of conventional explosives.  A dirty bomb does not detonate it’s nuclear material during the explosion.   

The primary danger posed by a dirty bomb is the residual radioactive material contaminating the area around the blast site.  The specific danger posed depends on the radioactive material used in the bomb, which can range from elevated levels of cancer to radiation poisoning.   

The primary danger posed by a dirty bomb is the residual radioactive material contaminating the area around the blast site.  The specific danger posed depends on the radioactive material used in the bomb, which can range from elevated levels of cancer to radiation poisoning.   

==Nuclear States==   

==Nuclear States==   

The following countries are known to possess nuclear weapons.

The following countries are known to possess nuclear weapons.

# North Korea

# North Korea

The following countries are known to have once had nuclear weapons:  

The following countries are known to have once had nuclear weapons:

# South Africa (dismantled stockpile in 1990's)

# South Africa (dismantled stockpile in 1990's)

# Belarus

# Belarus

*[http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/ The Nuclear Weapon Archive]

*[http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/ The Nuclear Weapon Archive]

*[http://www.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-bomb.htm How Stuff Works]

*[http://www.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-bomb.htm How Stuff Works]