nuclear weapons

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A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its force from nuclear reactions involving the use of fission and fusion. These reactions release a vast amount of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. Nuclear weapons are considered to be weapons of mass destruction and their use has been a topic of discussion since their debut in 1945. There are two basic types of nuclear weapons (Wikipedia 2013). The first type derives the majority of its energy from nuclear fission reactions alone. Weapons whose explosive output is obtained only from fission reactions are commonly referred to as atomic bombs or atom bombs (abbreviated as A-bombs). The first atomic bomb was used by the United states during the Cold War and was called ‘Little Boy’ (Wikipedia 2014). Figure 1.1 shows the structure of a gun type fission weapon similar to the ‘little boy’ bomb. The second type uses fission reactions to begin nuclear fusion reactions which in turn produce a large amount of the total energy output. Such fusion weapons are known as thermonuclear weapons or hydrogen bombs (abbreviated as H-bombs). Figure 1.2 shows the structure of such a weapon. There are other types of nuclear weapons such as a boosted fission weapon and a neutron bomb. Most variation in nuclear weapon design is for the purpose of achieving different yields for different situations, and to manipulating design elements in order to minimize weapon size (Wikipedia 2013). Nuclear weapons have been used twice in the course of warfare, both times by the United States, near the end of World War II, to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Since then, they have been detonated for testing purposes and demonstrations more than 2000 times. Countries that have acknowledged possession of... ... middle of paper ... ...heir nuclear arsenals (Deen 2013). Yet nuclear weapons are not the currency of international status and power they once were (Street 2013). "Leaving aside current force trends, I am convinced that to ultimately reach the goal of a nuclear weapon-free world, we will have to first overcome what might called the persistence of deterrence thinking. This will require us in effect to redraw our mental maps of how best to defend against 21st-century threats." says Kile. However, he pointed out that this might actually be the biggest challenge in moving toward a nuclear weapon free world (Deen 2013). "The best way to eliminate the nuclear threat anywhere is by eliminating nuclear weapons everywhere", says General Ban Ki-moon, who is counted among the strongest opponents of nuclear arms (Deen 2013). Indeed, the road to a nuclear weapon free world seems to be a long way off.

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