The Effects of a Nuclear Detonation

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Throughout history, the human race has strived to create tools and technologies that can accomplish tasks the human mind never thought possible; however, once these technologies fall in the wrong hands, they become true nightmares. Thanks to these malicious hands, beneficial tools such as fire, cars, and airplanes become napalm, tanks, and fighter jets, which serve no other purpose than to destroy. Such is also the case of nuclear energy, which later became the atomic bomb. Since then, this technology created by noble and ingenious minds has come to be the most devastating weapon ever used in war thanks to its large amount of destructive effects. The first effect a nuclear explosion would have would be the propagation of the blast. This effect occurs instantly once the explosion is carried out, and is the only effect that can be visually observed. The blast caused by the nuclear explosion is the most small scale effect since it only expands in the form of a high pressure shock wave and a cloud of fire around the area where the bomb was detonated. (Aftergood & Pike, 1998) Consequently, such effect can result in the complete vaporization of any object within the fire cloud, and the destruction brought on by the strong air wave that pushes everything out of its path. Therefore, any human being, or any other life form, caught in the blast is bound to perish. (Glasstone & Dolan, 1977) Secondly, a nuclear detonation would cause the emission of thermal radiation composed of a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum such as infrared, ultra violet, and x rays. (Aftergood & Pike, 1998) This discharge of energy in the form of thermal radiation causes objects to heat up to extreme temperatures which can lead to first, second, and even, thi... ... middle of paper ... ...wn as the most feared invention ever created by mankind, showing that, based on the person who exploits it, even the most beneficial discoveries can become the most terrible. Works Cited Aftergood, S., & Pike, J. (1998.). Nuclear Weapon Effects. Special Weapons Primer. Retrieved March 30, 2014, from https://www.fas.org/nuke/intro/nuke/effects.htm AJ Software & Multimedia. (2013.). Radioactive Fallout. Exploring the History, Science, and Consequences of the Atomic Bomb. Retrieved March 31, 2014, from http://www.atomicarchive.com/Effects/effects17.shtml EPA. (2012.). Health Effects.Radiation Protection. Retrieved March 28, 2014, from http://www.epa.gov/rpdweb00/understand/health_effects.html Glasstone, S., & Dolan, P. (1977). The Effects of Nuclear Weapons. Washington D.C.: United States Department of Defense and the Energy Research and Development Administration.

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