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Nuclear weapons usually have dramatically more destructive power than conventional weapon, where the power of a nuclear weapon is measured in kilotons.  One kiloton has the equivalent explosive force of 1,000 tons of [[TNT]].

Nuclear weapons usually have dramatically more destructive power than conventional weapon, where the power of a nuclear weapon is measured in kilotons.  One kiloton has the equivalent explosive force of 1,000 tons of [[TNT]].

[[Little Boy]] was the first of two atomic bombs ever used during warfare. It was developed by the United States during [[World War II]], and was dropped on the Japanese city of [[Hiroshima]] on August 6th, 1945.  It had an explosive for of approximately 13 kilotons.  Modern U.S. nuclear weapons such as the W88 warhead used on the Trident II missile, have a yield of 475 kilotons.  Given the strength and size of the current US nuclear arsenal, the use of even a fraction of it would have devastating effects on the world's climate, probably rendering it unsuitable for human life.

[[Little Boy]] was the first of two atomic bombs ever used during warfare. It was developed by the United States during [[World War II]], and was dropped on the Japanese city of [[Hiroshima]] on August 6, 1945.  It had an explosive for of approximately 13 kilotons.  Modern U.S. nuclear weapons such as the W88 warhead used on the Trident II missile, have a yield of 475 kilotons.  Given the strength and size of the current US nuclear arsenal, the use of even a fraction of it would have devastating effects on the world's climate, probably rendering it unsuitable for human life.

==Types of Nuclear Weapons==

==Types of Nuclear Weapons==

===Fusion Bombs===

===Fusion Bombs===

Fusion bombs, also known as thermonuclear bombs, derive their energy from the [[Nuclear fusion|fusion]] of atoms, usually either [[deuterium]] or [[tritium]], which are [[isotope|isotopes]] of hydrogen. Fusion of [[hydrogen]] to [[helium]] is thought to be the process that causes our sun and stars to shine.

Fusion bombs, also known as thermonuclear bombs, derive their energy from the [[Nuclear fusion|fusion]] of atoms, usually either [[deuterium]] or [[tritium]], which are [[isotope]]s of hydrogen. Fusion of [[hydrogen]] to [[helium]] is thought to be the process that 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 tritium or 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 tritium or deuterium at the core of the bomb.

A dirty bomb is of no conventional military use, but would be highly dangerous if used for terrorism. Although this has never before happened, it remains a concern.

A dirty bomb is of no conventional military use, but would be highly dangerous if used for terrorism. Although this has never before happened, it remains a concern.

==Nuclear States==

==Nuclear States==

The following countries are known to possess nuclear weapons:

The following countries are known to possess nuclear weapons:

Many other countries have at one time had an active nuclear weapons development program, but most have officially stopped research into nuclear weapons. Although a country may have the technology for nuclear power, it may not have the capability to produce nuclear weapons, which would require the ability to enrich uranium.

Many other countries have at one time had an active nuclear weapons development program, but most have officially stopped research into nuclear weapons. Although a country may have the technology for nuclear power, it may not have the capability to produce nuclear weapons, which would require the ability to enrich uranium.

==See Also==

==See also==

* [[Nuclear target structures]]

* [[Nuclear target structures]]

* [[Biological weapon]]

* [[Biological weapon]]

* [http://www.hps.org/publicinformation/ate/faqs/radiationtypes.html Radiation Types, ‘’Health Physics Society’’]

* [http://www.hps.org/publicinformation/ate/faqs/radiationtypes.html Radiation Types, ‘’Health Physics Society’’]

==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/index.html GlobalSecurity.org]

*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/index.html GlobalSecurity.org]

*[http://www.iaea.org/index.html International Atomic Energy Agency]

*[http://www.iaea.org/index.html International Atomic Energy Agency]

*[http://bertschlossberg.blogspot.com/ Purim, Haddash Hospital in Jerusalem, and Iran's Nuclear Bomb]

*[http://bertschlossberg.blogspot.com/ Purim, Haddash Hospital in Jerusalem, and Iran's Nuclear Bomb]

[[Category : Nuclear Target Structures]]

[[Category:Nuclear Target Structures]]

[[Category:Weapons]]

[[Category:Weapons]]

[[Category:War]]

[[Category:War]]