N u c l e a r W e a p o n N u c l e a r W e a p o n ss

Noreen R. Nasir, Richa Sharma, Samira Matan, Kareem Harrison,

Rishi Dubey and Kim Li

What are the components of nuclear weapons, and how do these weapons affect the world?

"We saw another sun in the sky when it exploded."

An Introduction to An Introduction to Nuclear WeaponsNuclear Weapons

Nuclear weapons are the world’s most Nuclear weapons are the world’s most destructive weapon because of their destructive weapon because of their

ability to kill thousands of people in a ability to kill thousands of people in a matter of seconds, and to destroy matter of seconds, and to destroy

everything in their path.everything in their path.

IntroductioIntroduction:n:

The first atomic The first atomic bomb was used bomb was used

during World War II during World War II by the Americans. On by the Americans. On

July 16, 1945, the July 16, 1945, the Americans Americans

successfully tested successfully tested the first atomic bomb the first atomic bomb in Alamogordo, New in Alamogordo, New

Mexico. A few months Mexico. A few months later on August 6, later on August 6,

1945, the Americans 1945, the Americans dropped an atomic dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima bomb on Hiroshima called “Little Boy”. called “Little Boy”.

An Introduction to An Introduction to Nuclear WeaponsNuclear Weapons

The city was flattened 130,000 The city was flattened 130,000 people were reported killed. people were reported killed. Japan, still trying to understand Japan, still trying to understand the reasons for the horrific attack the reasons for the horrific attack was blessed with another atomic was blessed with another atomic bomb, “Fat Man” on the city of bomb, “Fat Man” on the city of Nagasaki 3 days after “Little Boy”. Nagasaki 3 days after “Little Boy”. These attacks were the first These attacks were the first atomic used against an enemy.atomic used against an enemy.

Facts of Little Boy:Facts of Little Boy: Code name of bomb: The Little Boy Type of bomb: U-235 “gun typed” Power 12,500 tons of TNT Weight: 5tons Size: 0.7 diameter, 3 meter length Date of nuclear attack: August 6th, 1945 Carrier plane: B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay Destination: Hiroshima Population: 255, 000 Instant number of death: 80,000 vaporised by the heat /

power of the blast Structural damage: 68% of city buildings destroyed

Environmental damage: smoke 20,000ft high and 10,000ft wide in the sky from blast Total number of death: apx. 140,000 died by the end of 1945. Additional 97,000 died from radiation until the 1980s.

Introduction: A History on Nuclear Weapons

The little boy and its name This skinny uranium bomb was first code

named the “thin man” for Roosevelt, along with its voluptuous sister bomb named the “fat man’ for Churchill. The code name was simply to confuse eavesdroppers because many people assumed the term thin man referred to president Franklin Delano Roosevelt while the fat man referred to Winston Churchill. “The thin man” was considered to be too long thus the name finalized as “THE LITTLE BOY”

History of Nuclear Weapons

The Attack On Sunday August 5th, 1945, a B-29

bomber named the Enola Gay after the pilot’s mother was loaded with a deadly uranium bomb. On the 6th of August, Enola gay made its way to Japan, The great artiste was its instrument ship and plane number 91 carried 3 scientist and camera equipment. At 7:30 A.M. the planes reached the shores of Japan and at 8:15 AM 17 sec, the first wartime atomic bomb was used on the city of Hiroshima. it was estimated that the Little Boy released a force of 12,500 tons when it exploded.

History of Nuclear Weapons

The Manhattan project The idea of the little boy was so convincing that

scientist did not even test the bomb before using it.

The location: Hiroshima Hiroshima is Industrial city on the south coast of

Honshu Island, Japan. Hiroshima was especially chosen to be bombed for the reason that because it is a industrial city and the government considered it is ‘a military base'. Since it is a military base, only a limited number of civilians would be injured or killed. However, according to the official Bombing Survey Report, “Hiroshima and Nagasaki were chosen as targets because of their concentration of activities and population”. Thus, due to the amount of people and activity, Civilians were of the 95% dead.

History of Nuclear Weapons

General difference between nuclear General difference between nuclear and conventional explosions:and conventional explosions:

A nuclear explosive is obtained from a A nuclear explosive is obtained from a nuclear reaction instead of a chemical nuclear reaction instead of a chemical reactionreactionThe amount of energy released from a The amount of energy released from a nuclear weapon is far greater than a nuclear weapon is far greater than a conventional one:conventional one:e.g.e.g.-Nuclear bomb that weighs 500 kg has a -Nuclear bomb that weighs 500 kg has a

yield of 10 kilotonyield of 10 kiloton-Conventional bomb that also weighs 500 -Conventional bomb that also weighs 500

kg has 250 kg of explosiveskg has 250 kg of explosivesSo one small nuclear bomb = 40,000 conventional So one small nuclear bomb = 40,000 conventional

bombsbombs

General difference between nuclear and General difference between nuclear and conventional explosions:conventional explosions:

A nuclear explosion reaches A nuclear explosion reaches very high number of very high number of temperature in comparison temperature in comparison to conventional explosionsto conventional explosions

In a nuclear explosion, In a nuclear explosion, large amount of its large amount of its energy is released as energy is released as thermal energythermal energy

A nuclear explosion also A nuclear explosion also emits different forms of emits different forms of radiation; these are radiation; these are deadly rays of nuclear deadly rays of nuclear radiationradiation

How do Nuclear Weapons How do Nuclear Weapons Work?Work?

Nuclear fission happens when the nuclei of Nuclear fission happens when the nuclei of specific isotopes of heavy elements, for specific isotopes of heavy elements, for example isotopes of uranium and plutonium, example isotopes of uranium and plutonium, capture neutronscapture neutrons

The nuclei of these isotopes are hardly stable The nuclei of these isotopes are hardly stable and the addition of a little amount of energy to and the addition of a little amount of energy to one by an outside neutron will cause it to split one by an outside neutron will cause it to split into 2 equal pieces, with the release of a great into 2 equal pieces, with the release of a great amount of energy and many new neutronsamount of energy and many new neutrons

How do the Nuclear Weapons Work?How do the Nuclear Weapons Work?

2 conditions must 2 conditions must be accomplished be accomplished before fission can before fission can be used to create be used to create

powerful powerful explosions:explosions:

(1) the number of (1) the number of neutrons lost to neutrons lost to

fission must be lowfission must be low(2) the speed with (2) the speed with which the chain which the chain

reaction proceeds reaction proceeds must be fastmust be fast

The Basic Principles of Fission The Basic Principles of Fission Weapon DesignWeapon Design

In order to construct a fission weapon, one In order to construct a fission weapon, one needs to:needs to:

(1) keep the fissionable material in a subcritical (1) keep the fissionable material in a subcritical state (a state at which the material is at a mass state (a state at which the material is at a mass of radioactive material) before detonationof radioactive material) before detonation

The Basic Principles of Fission The Basic Principles of Fission Weapon DesignWeapon Design

(2) bring the fissionable (2) bring the fissionable material into a supercritical material into a supercritical mass (the mass of mass (the mass of radioactive material in which radioactive material in which the rate of the chain reaction the rate of the chain reaction increases with time) while increases with time) while keeping it free of neutronskeeping it free of neutrons

(3) introduce neutrons into (3) introduce neutrons into the critical mass (having the critical mass (having enough mass to continue the enough mass to continue the chain reaction) when it is at chain reaction) when it is at the most favourable the most favourable arrangementarrangement

Types of Nuclear Types of Nuclear WeaponsWeapons

Enhanced Radiation Weapon: (Neutron Enhanced Radiation Weapon: (Neutron Bombs)Bombs)

ER bombs are small fusion device that are ER bombs are small fusion device that are created to generate enormous amount of created to generate enormous amount of nuclear radiation.nuclear radiation.

Comparison:Comparison:

Fission Bomb (figure 1.0)= energy output is Fission Bomb (figure 1.0)= energy output is divided into 15% nuclear radiation, 50% divided into 15% nuclear radiation, 50% blast and 35% as thermal energyblast and 35% as thermal energy

ER Weapon = energy output divides into 50% ER Weapon = energy output divides into 50% nuclear radiation, 30% as blast and 20% as nuclear radiation, 30% as blast and 20% as thermal energythermal energy

Figure 1.0Figure 1.0

Types of Nuclear WeaponsTypes of Nuclear Weapons

Hydrogen (Fusion) BombsHydrogen (Fusion) Bombs

Hydrogen bombs form using Hydrogen bombs form using the nuclear fusion reaction. the nuclear fusion reaction.

In nuclear fusion the In nuclear fusion the nucleus of several atoms nucleus of several atoms fuse together to form a fuse together to form a heavier nucleus. This is heavier nucleus. This is

done under extremely hot done under extremely hot conditions. The hydrogen conditions. The hydrogen

bonds to form helium. bonds to form helium. When this happens a large When this happens a large

amount of energy is amount of energy is released. This produces released. This produces

huge explosions.huge explosions.

Fusion releases energy due to it’s loss Fusion releases energy due to it’s loss of mass, this is proven from Einstein's of mass, this is proven from Einstein's E=mc(squared) law.E=mc(squared) law.

Albert Einstein’s Formula:Albert Einstein’s Formula: Einstein discovered a strong relation between Einstein discovered a strong relation between

energy and mass, and he expressed it through energy and mass, and he expressed it through the equation: the equation:

E = mcE = mc22

E represents energy, m represents mass, and cE represents energy, m represents mass, and c22 represents the square of the speed of lightrepresents the square of the speed of light

In Nuclear Fusion, when the protons are forced In Nuclear Fusion, when the protons are forced together, the extra mass is released as energytogether, the extra mass is released as energy

In order to convert the amount of mass into the In order to convert the amount of mass into the amount of energy, this formula is appliedamount of energy, this formula is applied

This formula also led to the formation of the This formula also led to the formation of the atomic bomb in World War Twoatomic bomb in World War Two

Hydrogen bombs are Hydrogen bombs are more destructive that more destructive that atomic bombs and atomic bombs and have never been used have never been used in warfare.in warfare.

Figure 1.1Figure 1.1

Atomic (Fission) BombsAtomic (Fission) Bombs Atomic bombs derive from nuclear fission Atomic bombs derive from nuclear fission

reactions. In nuclear fission, the nucleus of reactions. In nuclear fission, the nucleus of an atom splits into several pieces. The end an atom splits into several pieces. The end product results in 3-4 neutrons plus the product results in 3-4 neutrons plus the “fission products”, Figure 1.2. The fission “fission products”, Figure 1.2. The fission products are equal to half the sum of the products are equal to half the sum of the original nucleus. original nucleus.

The 3-4 neutrons produced from The 3-4 neutrons produced from the reaction increases the the reaction increases the

possibility for a chain reaction. possibility for a chain reaction. When a chain reaction is quick, it When a chain reaction is quick, it

is considered an atomic bomb.is considered an atomic bomb.

Figure 1.2Figure 1.2

Continue…Continue…

Plutonium and Uranium are two elements that Plutonium and Uranium are two elements that are commonly used for an are commonly used for an atomic bombatomic bomb because they are highly unstablebecause they are highly unstable

Uranium has a large atomic structure which Uranium has a large atomic structure which means that the atoms are not very firmly held means that the atoms are not very firmly held togethertogether

With the slightest touch, the atom’s nucleus With the slightest touch, the atom’s nucleus will fall apart, which then causes the release of will fall apart, which then causes the release of energyenergy

When U-235 splits, it gives off at least 2 When U-235 splits, it gives off at least 2 “spare” neutrons are given off, these “spare” neutrons are given off, these neutrons then direct towards other atoms, neutrons then direct towards other atoms, causing them to splitcausing them to split

The splitting of Uranium-235 also releases The splitting of Uranium-235 also releases heat energy and gamma radiationheat energy and gamma radiation

The atomic bomb would usually have a The atomic bomb would usually have a detonator (to cause the splitting) which detonator (to cause the splitting) which would lead towards an explosive chain would lead towards an explosive chain reaction. (Figure 1.4)reaction. (Figure 1.4)

Nuclear Fission: U-235Nuclear Fission: U-235 Figure 1.3

Figure 1.4

How things work 2 deadly pieces of uranium are placed at the opposite ends of the bomb connected by a gun barrel. The uranium at the rear end of the bomb is shot by an explosive towards the Uranium target rings, the 2 sections of uranium come together and creating a reaction. A barometric sensor is on the bomb to sense the height of the bomb with the air pressure; this allows the bomb to explode before the ground to cause a more deadly effect.

Plutonium-239 and Its Involvement with Nuclear

Weapons•Plutonium 239 has a half-life of 24,110 years.

•Plutonium belongs to the class of elements called transuranic elements whose atomic number is higher than 92, the atomic number of uranium.

•Plutonium is the most economically important of the transuranic elements. •Plutonium-239 readily undergoes fission, and it is used for nuclear weapons and for energy.

An atom of uranium 238 absorbs a An atom of uranium 238 absorbs a neutron, will decay within a few days to neutron, will decay within a few days to form plutonium 239form plutonium 239

Plutonium 239, since it emits on decay Plutonium 239, since it emits on decay an alpha particle can be safely handled.an alpha particle can be safely handled.

There is 2,000 metric tons of plutonium There is 2,000 metric tons of plutonium on earth man made in nuclear reactors.on earth man made in nuclear reactors.

The 2,000 metric tons could be The 2,000 metric tons could be converted to one quarter million converted to one quarter million hydrogen bombs.hydrogen bombs.

The bomb dropped on Nagasaki The bomb dropped on Nagasaki contained 6 kilograms of which only 1 contained 6 kilograms of which only 1 kilogram fissioned (exploded). kilogram fissioned (exploded).

Including the amount Including the amount lost in purification, lost in purification, about 8 kilograms is about 8 kilograms is required to make a required to make a hydrogen bombhydrogen bomb

For plutonium 239 For plutonium 239 becomes unstable at becomes unstable at 20 grams per cubic 20 grams per cubic centimeter.centimeter.

Pu-239 is one of 3 Pu-239 is one of 3 fissile materials (the fissile materials (the others being U-235 & others being U-235 & 233) and is used in 233) and is used in the production of the production of nuclear weapons. nuclear weapons.

There is sufficient evidence in humans There is sufficient evidence in humans that inhalation of plutonium-239 that inhalation of plutonium-239 aerosols cause lung cancer, liver cancer aerosols cause lung cancer, liver cancer and bone sarcoma. and bone sarcoma.

Exposure to plutonium-239 also entails Exposure to plutonium-239 also entails exposure to plutonium-240 and other exposure to plutonium-240 and other isotopes.isotopes.

In this regard, plutonium-239 is highly In this regard, plutonium-239 is highly carcinogenic and due to its half-life, will carcinogenic and due to its half-life, will remain in your body for the rest of your remain in your body for the rest of your life. life.

From January 1951 to January 1955, 31 atomic From January 1951 to January 1955, 31 atomic fission weapons were tested in Nevadafission weapons were tested in Nevada

The mass of the weapons being tested ranged The mass of the weapons being tested ranged from 1 Kiloton to approximately 100 kilotonsfrom 1 Kiloton to approximately 100 kilotons

Only a small amount of force was released by Only a small amount of force was released by the weapons compared to the great amount of the weapons compared to the great amount of force released by the large fission and force released by the large fission and hydrogen bombs tested in the Pacifichydrogen bombs tested in the Pacific

By the End of all the 31 tests, there were no By the End of all the 31 tests, there were no injuries or casualties reported by the people on injuries or casualties reported by the people on or off the test site or off the test site

Through the sample experiments conducted Through the sample experiments conducted at Nevada and the Pacific, the force of the at Nevada and the Pacific, the force of the Large fission bombs was estimated to be as Large fission bombs was estimated to be as powerful as a Million tons of TNTpowerful as a Million tons of TNT

The Nevada Test site was important to the The Nevada Test site was important to the USA as they were able to create a whole USA as they were able to create a whole new family of bombs which ranged in their new family of bombs which ranged in their sizesize

The development of these Nuclear bombs The development of these Nuclear bombs has made the USA armed force a greater has made the USA armed force a greater threat to the world and has increased the threat to the world and has increased the overall security of the countryoverall security of the country

weapons is so strong that it can injure eye tissues and weapons is so strong that it can injure eye tissues and cause permanent eye damage if someone were to look cause permanent eye damage if someone were to look directly at the explosiondirectly at the explosion

Even kilometres away from the site, the flash produced Even kilometres away from the site, the flash produced from the explosion of a small fission bomb can cause from the explosion of a small fission bomb can cause momentary "blind spots" so that a person cannot see momentary "blind spots" so that a person cannot see clearly. This is an extremely important factor for drivers clearly. This is an extremely important factor for drivers on the road as they need to take extra precautions when on the road as they need to take extra precautions when drivingdriving

When a nuclear weapon is tested, shockwaves travel in When a nuclear weapon is tested, shockwaves travel in all directions. The ozonosphere, a layer 20 to 30 miles all directions. The ozonosphere, a layer 20 to 30 miles above the earth bends any shockwaves, sending it to above the earth bends any shockwaves, sending it to distances 60 miles awaydistances 60 miles away

In a test site like Nevada, the sound of a bomb In a test site like Nevada, the sound of a bomb detonation can be heard in places as far as Utah or St. detonation can be heard in places as far as Utah or St. GeorgeGeorge

The impact of sound waves on the site can be fatal as The impact of sound waves on the site can be fatal as the waves produced, cause sharp cracks and bangs the waves produced, cause sharp cracks and bangs near the site and can damage buildings, shatter near the site and can damage buildings, shatter windows, etc.windows, etc.

Radiation produced by the Explosion cloud can be Radiation produced by the Explosion cloud can be extremely dangerous to humansextremely dangerous to humans

The great amount of radiation produced from a The great amount of radiation produced from a nuclear bomb damages the cells of the human body nuclear bomb damages the cells of the human body and can cause major defects to body functionsand can cause major defects to body functions

Recovery of people exposed to great amount of Recovery of people exposed to great amount of radiation depends on the duration they have been radiation depends on the duration they have been exposed to the radiation, and the strength of the exposed to the radiation, and the strength of the radiation itselfradiation itself

Many people who were severely injured by bomb Many people who were severely injured by bomb radiation in Japan during World War II apparently radiation in Japan during World War II apparently made good recoveries. made good recoveries.

An important point about radiation is that An important point about radiation is that it takes a great amount of overexposure to it takes a great amount of overexposure to cause illness. Only when overexposures are cause illness. Only when overexposures are very heavy is recovery problematical.very heavy is recovery problematical.

Once a nuclear weapon is detonated, the effect Once a nuclear weapon is detonated, the effect on the environment is hugeon the environment is huge

The blast releases thermal pulses, neutrons, x- The blast releases thermal pulses, neutrons, x- and gamma-rays, radiation and and gamma-rays, radiation and electromagnetic pulses (EMP) into the upper electromagnetic pulses (EMP) into the upper atmosphere resulting in its ionizationatmosphere resulting in its ionization

Depending on where the weapons are Depending on where the weapons are detonated, the following effects can be detonated, the following effects can be observed: ground shock, water shock, ground observed: ground shock, water shock, ground cratering, and large amounts of dust and cratering, and large amounts of dust and radioactive fallout into the environmentradioactive fallout into the environment

Ecosystems are impacted greatly by nuclear detonation Ecosystems are impacted greatly by nuclear detonation because habitats of many organisms are destroyed due to because habitats of many organisms are destroyed due to large craters created in the ground, destruction of trees, large craters created in the ground, destruction of trees, radioactive debris polluting bodies of water, etcradioactive debris polluting bodies of water, etc

Each detonation is summed up as 50% blast, 35% Each detonation is summed up as 50% blast, 35% thermal radiation (x-rays, UV rays, infrared light) and thermal radiation (x-rays, UV rays, infrared light) and 15% nuclear radiation. This means that the environment 15% nuclear radiation. This means that the environment where a blast takes place is impacted the most and the where a blast takes place is impacted the most and the further away from the blast radius one goes, to milder the further away from the blast radius one goes, to milder the effects experienced by the detonationeffects experienced by the detonation

Since great amount of energy is released in a nuclear Since great amount of energy is released in a nuclear explosion, the temperatures present near the blast site is explosion, the temperatures present near the blast site is around a few thousand degrees Celsius and can go as around a few thousand degrees Celsius and can go as high as a few million degrees. At these temperatures, high as a few million degrees. At these temperatures, everything is vaporized almost instantly everything is vaporized almost instantly

In an instant, an area that is urban can In an instant, an area that is urban can be turned into dustbe turned into dust

A nuclear explosion has a great impact A nuclear explosion has a great impact on the ozone layer. This is because the on the ozone layer. This is because the bomb creates very high air bomb creates very high air temperatures, which produces Nitric temperatures, which produces Nitric Oxide. The Nitric Oxide is especially Oxide. The Nitric Oxide is especially harmful to the ozone layer because it harmful to the ozone layer because it can break up many ozone molecules can break up many ozone molecules really quickly, turning the Oreally quickly, turning the O33 molecules molecules into Ointo O22

Climate is also affected from nuclear Climate is also affected from nuclear detonation. For example, when a bomb is detonation. For example, when a bomb is detonated, the debris and dust that is trapped detonated, the debris and dust that is trapped in the Stratosphere, acts as a barrier which in the Stratosphere, acts as a barrier which reflects light that shines on the Earth. This reflects light that shines on the Earth. This causes the average temperatures of the causes the average temperatures of the environment to decrease and may have a major environment to decrease and may have a major impact on the climate patterns of other regions impact on the climate patterns of other regions as wellas well

The depletion of the ozone layer due to nuclear The depletion of the ozone layer due to nuclear explosions is extremely harmful to humans as explosions is extremely harmful to humans as UV light can enter the Earth's atmosphere, UV light can enter the Earth's atmosphere, increasing the chance of having skin cancerincreasing the chance of having skin cancer

This picture shows a satellite view of This picture shows a satellite view of Hiroshima before and after it was impacted Hiroshima before and after it was impacted

by the Nuclear bomb by the Nuclear bomb

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Nuclear Weapons and the Nuclear Weapons and the WorldWorld

As previously said, the United States is As previously said, the United States is the only country that has used a the only country that has used a

nuclear weapon in warfare. Although nuclear weapon in warfare. Although this does not mean to say that they this does not mean to say that they are the only country that possesses are the only country that possesses

nuclear weapons. The other countries nuclear weapons. The other countries who have possession of nuclear who have possession of nuclear

weapons are the United Kingdom, weapons are the United Kingdom, Russia, China, France, India, Russia, China, France, India,

Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel.Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel.

The United Kingdom in The United Kingdom in 2006 announced its 2006 announced its intent to spend just intent to spend just over £1,000 million over £1,000 million over the next three over the next three years on refurbishing years on refurbishing key facilities at its key facilities at its nuclear-weapons nuclear-weapons complex.complex.

The French president The French president Chirac stated that Chirac stated that France would not France would not hesitate to use nuclear hesitate to use nuclear weapons in response to weapons in response to terrorism, proving that terrorism, proving that France would use France would use nuclear weapons as a nuclear weapons as a means of protection.means of protection.

•Russia has been involved in nuclear testing since the late 1930’s, but in 2009 President Medvedev has joined with US President Obama in the agreements of an enormous reduction in their nuclear arsenals. Both countries have decided to work together to make the world free of nuclear weapons.

Although President Obama announced in 2009 that he wants the world to be free of nuclear weapons and that he would work with other nations to ensure that this happens, new countries are in the poses of building their own nuclear weapons regardless of Obama’s peaceful dream. Countries such as Iran. Nuclear weapons, being so destructive, will continuously affect the lives of people around the world until they are completely removed from every country.

How many nuclear weapons does How many nuclear weapons does each country posses?each country posses? Below: Below:

United States United States –– 9400 9400 Russia Russia –– 13 000 13 000 United Kingdom United Kingdom –– 160 160 France France –– 300 300 China China ––186 186 India India –– 60-70 60-70 Pakistan Pakistan –– 60 60 Israel Israel –– 80 80 North Korea North Korea –– 1-10 1-10

Figure 1.5

The Implications of Nuclear The Implications of Nuclear WeaponsWeapons

In essence, a weapon is designed to hunt, kill and destroy. Regardless of the target a weapon will bring destruction upon it. Key component to nuclear weapons however, are all the externalities and side effects

that come with the types of materials used in their production. Thereby it is both the intent and result of nuclear weapons that create negative implications on a variety

of levels.

Moral/Ethical:Moral/Ethical: Since the creation of nuclear weapons, there has been a great debate on whether it is morally appropriate to utilize nuclear weapons. These weapons possess the capability to inhumanly annihilate thousands of homes, and millions of lives in an instant. As such they pose a great threat in terms of ethics in the question of whether the destruction of so much life could ever be justified.

Social:Social: Similar to ethical implications, the social implications of nuclear weapons involves the repercussions of destroying cities and populations of organisms instantaneously. Internationally, the threat of nuclear weapons is very real despite the facts of how volatile and dangerous nuclear weapons can be.

Economic:Economic: In terms of economics, the demand for nuclear weapons is gradually declining as people and governments acknowledge the overwhelming threat that they have to society. In addition, the production cost for these weapons is very high, with little return once manufactured. However, people who work in nuclear power plants that would support these nuclear weapons would also depend on the creation of nuclear weapons to support their jobs even if it was only one component of them.

Environmentally:Environmentally: The implications that surround nuclear weapons environmentally are plentiful. The source of the destructive power within these weapons originates from highly radioactive and unstable elements. The various gamma rays and shockwaves left behind from an explosion can leave side effects within organisms for generations. Blast sites will be permanently altered and even life that begins to grow within several kilometers of the area may be affected. The spumes of debris lifted into the atmosphere will also further cloud the ozone layer, and unnecessarily add to the accumulating pollution of the world.

A Few Facts on the Presence of A Few Facts on the Presence of Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear

Material in the PastMaterial in the Past

Largest and smallest nuclear bombs ever Largest and smallest nuclear bombs ever deployed: B17/B24 (~42,000 lbs., 10-15 deployed: B17/B24 (~42,000 lbs., 10-15 megatons); W54 (51 lbs., .01 kilotons, .02 megatons); W54 (51 lbs., .01 kilotons, .02 kilotons-1 kiloton)kilotons-1 kiloton)

Peak number of operating domestic uranium Peak number of operating domestic uranium mines (1955): 925 mines (1955): 925

Fissile material produced: 104 metric tons of Fissile material produced: 104 metric tons of plutonium and 994 metric tons of highly-plutonium and 994 metric tons of highly-enrichedenricheduraniumuranium

Amount of plutonium still in Amount of plutonium still in weapons: 43 metric tons weapons: 43 metric tons

Number of thermometers which Number of thermometers which could be filled with mercury used could be filled with mercury used to produce lithium-6 at the Oak to produce lithium-6 at the Oak Ridge Reservation: 11 billion Ridge Reservation: 11 billion

Amount of silver in tons once Amount of silver in tons once used at the Oak Ridge, TN, Y-12 used at the Oak Ridge, TN, Y-12 Plant for electrical magnet coils: Plant for electrical magnet coils: 14,700 Largest U.S. 14,700 Largest U.S. explosion/date: 15 explosion/date: 15 Megatons/March 1, 1954 Megatons/March 1, 1954 ("Bravo") ("Bravo")

How we went about How we went about Answering the QuestionAnswering the Question

First of all, we equally divided the work of First of all, we equally divided the work of answering the question among ourselvesanswering the question among ourselves

Then, we separately researched our parts by using Then, we separately researched our parts by using the Internet and other academic sourcesthe Internet and other academic sources

Finally, we compiled our information together, and Finally, we compiled our information together, and made a remarkable slideshow which presented the made a remarkable slideshow which presented the answer of our questionanswer of our question

Throughout the course of Throughout the course of the Group 4 project, many the Group 4 project, many communication skills communication skills were developed and many were developed and many new technological skills new technological skills were enhanced. The were enhanced. The following lists are a following lists are a description of the description of the communication and communication and technological skills technological skills developed and enhanced developed and enhanced throughout the project:throughout the project:

Communication SkillsCommunication Skills -The Internet Website -The Internet Website

Angel was used as a Angel was used as a forum for group forum for group

members to members to communicate with each communicate with each

other and share any other and share any ideas they may have ideas they may have

had during the had during the planning, researching planning, researching and final processes of and final processes of

the project. This the project. This method of method of

communication was communication was used the most during used the most during the Group 4 project the Group 4 project because all group because all group

members could access members could access this source at any time this source at any time and post any ideas they and post any ideas they

may have had, very may have had, very easily easily

A group meeting was held in A group meeting was held in the Turner Fenton School the Turner Fenton School Library after school during Library after school during the early stages of the project. the early stages of the project. This gave all group members This gave all group members the opportunity to talk face-the opportunity to talk face-to-face and express any ideas to-face and express any ideas they may have had. The group they may have had. The group benefited a lot from the benefited a lot from the meeting because a Research meeting because a Research topic for the Group 4 project topic for the Group 4 project was finally decided and the was finally decided and the topic on Nuclear Weapons was topic on Nuclear Weapons was chosenchosen

Therefore, the main method of Therefore, the main method of collaboration and collaboration and communication used by the communication used by the group members was mostly group members was mostly electronic communication electronic communication through the internet.through the internet.

Technological SkillsTechnological Skills

-During the planning session of the -During the planning session of the project, the group had to access project, the group had to access various websites and search -engines various websites and search -engines to do research on the topic of studyto do research on the topic of study

-In the action and research phase of -In the action and research phase of the project, the group used various the project, the group used various databases such as Microsoft Word so databases such as Microsoft Word so that all research on the topic could that all research on the topic could be collected and organized properly be collected and organized properly in the document.in the document.

--The group chose to present all the The group chose to present all the research and information gathered, by research and information gathered, by making a PowerPoint presentation. The making a PowerPoint presentation. The major skill that was enhanced in this major skill that was enhanced in this part of the project was the ability to use part of the project was the ability to use a Computer program such as Microsoft a Computer program such as Microsoft PowerPoint to organize and present PowerPoint to organize and present information in a creative manner. information in a creative manner.

-In the end, everyone had to make their -In the end, everyone had to make their own slides so that the work between the own slides so that the work between the group could be distributed evenly. This group could be distributed evenly. This meant that everyone had the meant that everyone had the opportunity to use the PowerPoint opportunity to use the PowerPoint program and were able to practice their program and were able to practice their technological skillstechnological skills

What the future holds...What the future holds...From the article From the article Nuclear Weapons Future Nuclear Weapons Future

by Bill Gertz published by The by Bill Gertz published by The Washington Times on July 30, 2009, Washington Times on July 30, 2009, President Obama strongly favours the President Obama strongly favours the elimination of nuclear weapons, yet elimination of nuclear weapons, yet claims that “[a]s long as claims that “[a]s long as these weapons exist, the United States these weapons exist, the United States will maintain a safe, secure and effective will maintain a safe, secure and effective arsenal to deter any adversary, and arsenal to deter any adversary, and guarantee that defence to our allies.‘”guarantee that defence to our allies.‘”

Who ever has the more powerful Who ever has the more powerful weapon feels the safest. weapon feels the safest.

N u c l e a r W e a p o n s

Next: Bibliography…

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