6564719 nuclear weapons and effects

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Nuclear Weapons andNuclear Weapons andtheir effectstheir effects

Naval Weapons Systems



ObjectivesObjectives

• Know the different classifications of nuclearweapons – yields, intended targets, deliverymethods.

•

Know how fission and fusion reactions areachieved.

• Know the critical components of fission andfusion warheads and the principles of

operation.• Define critical mass and know what it is

dependent upon.

• Understand the characteristics of nuclearex losions and the dama e mechanisms.



Why do we Care?Why do we Care?

Effect of 1 Megaton surface blast on Madison,

At the center of the ring lies a crater 200 feet deep and 1000 feet in diameter. The rim of this

crater is 1,000 feet wide and is composed of highly radioactive soil and debris. Nothingrecognizable remains within about 3,200 feet (0.6 miles) from the center, except, perhaps, the

remains of some buildings' foundations. At 1.7 miles, only some of the strongest buildings -- those

made of reinforced, poured concrete -- are still standing. Ninety-eight percent of the population in

this area are deadRadius: 2.7 miles

Virtually everything is destroyed between the 12 and 5 psi rings. The walls of typical multi-story

buildings, including apartment buildings, have been completely blown out. The bare, structural

skeletons of more and more buildings rise above the debris as you approach the 5 psi ring. Single-

family residences within this this area have been completely blown away -- only their foundations

remain. Fifty percent of the population between the 12 and 5 psi rings are dead. Forty percent are

injured.

2 psi

Radius: 4.7 milesAny single-family residences that have not been completely destroyed are heavily damaged. The

windows of office buildings have been blown away, as have some of their walls. The contents of

these buildings' upper floors, including the people who were working there, are scattered on the

street. A substantial amount of debris clutters the entire area. Five percent of the population

between the 5 and 2 psi rings are dead. Forty-five percent are injured.



Nuclear WeaponsNuclear Weapons

ClassificationClassification Tactical Tactical

– Yield < 100 Ktons (15 Ktons min) Yield < 100 Ktons (15 Ktons min)

– Eliminate personnelEliminate personnel

StrategicStrategic– Yield > 100 Ktons Yield > 100 Ktons

– Used on vast area targetsUsed on vast area targets

Weapons of TerrorWeapons of Terror– Any yield will doAny yield will do

– UnpredictableUnpredictable

– Dirty BombsDirty Bombs

Perspective…x Hiroshima = 13 KTx Nagasaki = 22 KT



Nuclear ExplosivesNuclear Explosives

• Energy released is much greater than withchemical explosives (per weight of explosive).

• Fission• Atoms of heavy unstable isotopes are split by

high speed neutrons.

• Split nucleus releases energy and moreneutrons.

• These neutrons go on to split more nuclei.• Reaction also produces heat and radiation.

• Fusion• The combining of Hydrogen nuclei to form

Helium, matter is destroyed in the process



Nuclear WarheadsNuclear Warheads

– FissionFission

– FusionFusion

•Changing configuration of atomic nucleus:xChanging configuration of nucleus changingbinding energy.

•Binding energy – energy required to holdnucleons (protons & neutrons) together to form anucleus.

•Changing of the nucleus configuration increasesthe amount of binding energy.

•Changing the configuration of the nucleus maybe accomplished through two types of nucleartwo types of nuclearreactions:reactions:



Difference BetweenDifference Between

Fission and FusionFission and Fusion

Fission– Splitting of very heavy nucleus into 2 or more lighter

nuclei.» Best when atomic # very high.

– Releases energy when a heavy nucleus splits.

– Occurs spontaneously but very rarely. (Uranium,Plutonium)

– Controlled fission occurs through injection of additionalneutrons with very high kinetic energy.

– Binding energy increases with increasing # nucleons.

– 1 lb of Uranium ⇒ 16,000,000 lbs of TNT

Fusion– Combination of 2 or more light nuclei to make 1 heavier

nucleus.

– Releases energy when light nuclei are combined.

– 1 lb of Deuterium ⇒ 52,000,000 lbs of TNT



Fission Chain ReactionFission Chain Reaction

G h dG T W h d



Gun-Type WarheadGun-Type Warhead

DesignDesign

“LittleBoy”

Hiroshima

Gun-Type Warhead-Uncomplicated-Critical mass of 235Useparated.-Prevents inadvertent

detonation.-Two sub-critical massesbrought togetherquickly while injecting

neutrons.-Efficiency very low dueto bomb blowing itself apart. (<5%)-No longer has criticalmass.-Chain reaction stops.-



Design

(Implosion Weapon)

s Tamper (Br sphere)– Less neutron leakage.

» Neutrons leaving body of explosive withoutreacting with fissionmaterial.

– Confines fission material

allowing it to fissionlonger. “Fat Man” -

Imploding fissionable material-Prevents ‘fizzle’ – apremature end to reaction.

-2 halves placed insideof hollow shell of highexplosive.

-Implodes inward, compressingmaterial, sustaining chainreaction.



Fusion BombFusion Bomb



Fusion WarheadFusion Warhead

• Entire fusion fuel consumed.• Extreme reliability and rapidity.

• Calls for:•

Extremely high temperature• and pressure (like fusion on the sun)

• Fission detonation is only possible option. (fissiontrigger )

• Gamma radiation exerts radiation pressure on fusion

material.

• Crushes the fusion material into reacting (7 x 108 psi).

• As pressure increases, heat increases (1010 oK).

• Thermal motion of fusion material is sufficiently energetic.

• Known as thermonuclear fusion.

“ ”

N l WN l W



Nuclear WeaponsNuclear WeaponsSafetySafety

Prevention of Unauthorized DetonationIssues are two-fold:Protect security of existing weapon.Restricted access.

Armed guards.Protective storage facilities.Fences, motion detectors, etc. Two person integrity.

Prevent terrorists from building their own.

Production of fission material through enrichment of Uranium.Breeder reactor grade Plutonium.Design of high explosives to create powerful

implosions.Develop of neutron source technology.

Procurement of highly specialized technical knowledgerequired to produce high yield nuclear weapons.



ClassificationsClassifications

s

Initial/Prompt RadiationInitial/Prompt Radiation– Received in first minute, damageReceived in first minute, damage

primarily from neutrons and gammaprimarily from neutrons and gammaradiation.radiation.

•Blast•Heat

•Light

•EMP–TREE

–Blackout

•Residual Radiation•Alpha

•Beta•Gamma

•Neutron

•Fallout

R id l R di tiR R t



Residual RadiationRes ua Ra at onProductsProducts

• Alpha (large &heavy)

• Beta (small &light)

• Neutron (small &heavy)

• Gamma (EM

radiation)

• Helium nucleusHelium nucleusfrom fusion …skinfrom fusion …skin

• Electron orElectron orpositron…clothingpositron…clothing

• Excess neutrons notExcess neutrons notused in nuclearused in nuclear

reactions…waterreactions…water

• Produced by excessProduced by excessneutrons absorbedneutrons absorbedby air & nuclearby air & nuclear

reactionreactionbyproducts…leadbyproducts…lead



Brain TeaserBrain Teaser

You are Given: You are Given:Alpha CookieAlpha CookieBeta CookieBeta CookieNeutron CookieNeutron Cookie

Gamma CookieGamma CookieProblem: You must eat one, hold one inProblem: You must eat one, hold one in

your hand, put one in your pocket, andyour hand, put one in your pocket, andthrow one awaythrow one away

Solution:- Eat the Gamma cookie

- Hold the Alpha cookie in yourhand

- Put the beta Cookie in your poc



Review of WeaponsReview of Weaponseffectseffects

Peakoverpressure

Mach

+

-

Mach Wave

Triple Point Incident Wave

Reflected Wave

Mach Wave

Ground/Surface



Underwater Blast EffectsUnderwater Blast Effects

Underwater Explosion– Cavity (Bubble) of High pressuregas/heat/water vapor

– Hydrostatic Pressure Fluctuations

»Expansion and Compression– Energy Losses

»90% of the bubble’s energy dissipates on 1stexpansion

»Acoustic and heat radiation– Multiple Shock Waves»Due to pulsating bubble as it rises»Proximity of boundaries. (Bottom and

Surface)



Affect of an Underwater Blast

Explosion

Seismic Shock Bottom

Reflection

D i r e c t S h o c k

S u r f a c e R e f

l e c t i o n



Energy From a NuclearEnergy From a Nuclear

Air BurstAir Burst

Blast &Shock50%

ThermalRadiation(Heat) 35%

5%

10%Residual NuclearRadiation

Initial Nuclear Radiation

S i l PS i l P



Special PurposeSpecial PurposeWeaponsWeapons

• NuclearNuclear• ThermoNuclear – Fission ThermoNuclear – Fission

• Hydrogen - FusionHydrogen - Fusion

• Radiation Weapons - Neutron BombRadiation Weapons - Neutron Bomb

• EMP (greatest in high altitude bursts)EMP (greatest in high altitude bursts)

• Hiroshima – yield 125kT of TNT???Hiroshima – yield 125kT of TNT???• Current Max Yield – 25MT of TNTCurrent Max Yield – 25MT of TNT (200 times!!)(200 times!!)• Effective lethal Range of 100k NukeEffective lethal Range of 100k Nuke

• Blast (40 pse overpressure)Blast (40 pse overpressure) .5 miles.5 miles

• Blast Wind (600mph)Blast Wind (600mph) .7 miles.7 miles

• Radiation (lethal does of 500 Rem)Radiation (lethal does of 500 Rem) 1.4 miles1.4 miles

• Thermal pulse Thermal pulse 2.4 miles2.4 miles



Weapons TestsWeapons Tests

• Operation Hardtack 1, a series of 35 tests toOperation Hardtack 1, a series of 35 tests totest the effects of Nuclear weapons, thistest the effects of Nuclear weapons, thisincluded High altitude tests, surface, deepincluded High altitude tests, surface, deepunderwater tests and shallow water tests.underwater tests and shallow water tests.

They also served to test the designs of They also served to test the designs of nuclear weaponsnuclear weapons

• Part of Navy Training film on NuclearPart of Navy Training film on Nuclear

weapon effects on shipsweapon effects on ships• Operation Fishbowl High altitude weaponsOperation Fishbowl High altitude weapons

test, early development of Nuclear tippedtest, early development of Nuclear tippedinterceptor missiles needed to test theirinterceptor missiles needed to test their

ability to operate in the High EMPability to operate in the High EMP

lN l t t



Nuclear tests,Nuclear tests,ContinuedContinued

An 8 kiloton underwater nuclearAn 8 kiloton underwater nuclear

test.test.

Sailor Hat, 20 kt test at sea and aSailor Hat, 20 kt test at sea and a

conventional simulation of aconventional simulation of anuclear explosion to further testnuclear explosion to further testthe effects on ships. Several shotsthe effects on ships. Several shotsof damage being cause inside theof damage being cause inside theshipship

Samp e Scenar o Newamp e cenar o ew



Samp e Scenar o, Newamp e cenar o, ew York York

A 150 kiloton bomb constructedby terrorists is detonated in the

heart of Manhattan, at the foot of

the Empire State Building. The

bomb goes off without warning at

noon time. It's a clear spring day

with a breeze to the east.

Assumptions•There is no warning. The population has not been evacuated nor sought

shelter. Both measures could reduce casualties.•There is clear weather, with visibility of 10 miles (16 km).

•This is an isolated attack, leaving the rest of the country free to respond.•A large percentage of the day time population is outside - 25%.•The daytime population density is roughly uniform and about 125,000 per

square mile.•The shock wave will spread out uniformly in all directions, being minimally

affected by structures.



1 Sec after detonation1 Sec after detonation

Blast Wave

At the end of the first second, the

shock wave will have an

overpressure of 20 psi. at a distance

of four tenths of a mile from ground

zero. Even the most heavily

reinforced steel and concretebuildings will be destroyed.

Casualties

This circle contains a daytime

population of roughly 75,000. There will

be no survivors. Those caught outsidewill be exposed to the full effects of the blast, including severe lung and

ear drum damage and exposure to flying debris. Those in the direct line

of sight of the blast will be exposed to a thermal pulse in excess of 500

cal/sq.cm., causing instant death. Those inside, though shielded from

some of the blast and thermal effects, will be killed as buildingscollapse.




Blast Wave

An overpressure of at least 10 psi.extends out for 1 mile. Concrete andsteel reinforced commercial buildings willbe destroyed or severely damaged out tothe edge of this ring. The few buildingsthat remain standing on the outside edge

of this ring will have their interiorsdestroyed. Though the thermal pulse isintense enough to ignite most materials,the shock wave will likely extinguish mostfires in this ring.Casualties

Most people inside buildings will be killed by flying debris or die asthe buildings collapse. Almost all those outside and not in the directline of sight of the blast will receive lung and ear drum injuries tovarying degrees. Those in the direct line of sight will be killedinstantly by the thermal pulse. Fatalities are estimated at 300,000

with many of the remaining 100,000 receiving some form of non-fatal injury.




Blast Wave

In the next two seconds the shock wavemoves out another half mile, extending thedestruction out to a 1.5 mile radius. Theoverpressure has dropped to 5 psi. at theouter edge of this ring, an area of 4 square

miles. Reinforced structures are heavilydamaged and unreinforced residential typestructures of brick and wood are destroyed.

Casualties

This ring contains 500,000 people during the day. About 190,000 will bekilled inside buildings by flying debris. This is roughly half of the assumedindoor population. The other 190,000 will suffer varying degrees of injuries.Most of those outside and not in the direct line of sight of the explosion willescape direct injury from the blast, but may be injured by flying objects.The thermal pulse is still sufficiently intense (40 cal/sq.cm.) to kill anyone inthe direct line of sight; approximately 30,000. Those people fortunate

enough to be under ground will escape with no injuries. The total number of injured will be approximately 220,000, leaving roughly 60,000 uninjured.




Blast Wave

This band extends out to a 2.5 mile radius andhas an overpressure at the outside edge of 2psi. Reinforced structures will receive varyingamounts of damage, with those buildings atthe edge being almost completely undamaged.Wood and brick buildings will receive moderateamounts of initial damage, with the damagebecoming less at the outside edge of the ring.

Casualties

An estimated 235,000 people (15%) will be fatalities in this ring, with another

525,000 injured to varying degrees. No injuries will be due directly to the blastoverpressure, however the thermal pulse will still be sufficient to kill or

incapacitate those not indoors or otherwise protected. The degree of injury

from the thermal pulse will depend greatly on clothing and skin color. Darker

clothing and skin will absorb more of the energy, giving a more severe burn.

The material type and thickness will also determine the severity of burns from

the thermal pulse.




Blast WaveThis band extends out for almost 4 milesand has an overpressure of 1 psi. at itsoutside edge. At the inner edge there willbe light to moderate amounts of damageto unreinforced buildings of brick and

wood. Reinforced structures andcommercial buildings will receive lightdamage at most.

Casualties

Though this ring covers an additional 30 square miles, much of thisarea is over water or less densely populated areas. The affectedpopulation in this ring is estimated to be 500,000. There will bealmost no fatalities in this ring and only a small percentage, roughly30,000, will receive injuries from the thermal pulse. Flashblindness

and permanent retinal injuries from the blast will extend out beyond20 miles.



Estimated CasualtiesEstimated Casualties

Casualties

Distance fromGZ (mi.) Population Fatalities Injuries Uninjured0 - 0.4 75,000 75,000 0 00.4 - 1.0 400,000 300,000 100,000 01.0 - 1.5 500,000 220,000 220,000 60,000

1.5 - 2.5 1,500,000 235,000 525,000 740,0002.5 - 4.0 500,000 0 30,000 470,000Totals 2,975,000 830,000 875,000 1,270,000



Fission - BasicsFission - Basics

Nuclear detonation started by creating chain reaction.Nuclear detonation started by creating chain reaction.– To sustain reaction, must be enough fissionable material in To sustain reaction, must be enough fissionable material inthe right physical configuration so that released neutronsthe right physical configuration so that released neutronswill cause other reactions before being lost to absorptionwill cause other reactions before being lost to absorptionor leakage.or leakage.

» Critical massCritical mass - minimum density of material to sustain- minimum density of material to sustainreactionreaction

» Sub-critical massSub-critical mass – not dense enough radioactive material to– not dense enough radioactive material tosustain reaction.sustain reaction.

» Super critical massSuper critical mass – dense enough to cause ever-increasing– dense enough to cause ever-increasingreaction.reaction.

Induces ever-increasing number of reactions untilInduces ever-increasing number of reactions untileither entire mass consumed or something stops it.either entire mass consumed or something stops it.

» Fission ReactorFission Reactor

– Controlled MannerControlled Manner

– Control rods absorb neutronsControl rods absorb neutrons» Fission WarheadFission Warhead



Principles of OperationPrinciples of Operation

ev to remove 1st electron of Heev to remove 2nd electron of He

ev molecular binding energy

ompared to 28Mev to separateprotons and 2 neutrons

6 x 105

times greater

Nucleus is held together by attraction betweennucleons (nuclear force).

-Much stronger than electromagneticforce that holds molecules together(chemical explosion).

-Nuclear binding energy much greaterthan molecular binding energy.

Binding Energy perBinding Energy per



Binding Energy perBinding Energy perNucleonNucleon

235235U held together by 7.5Mev per nucleon.|U held together by 7.5Mev per nucleon.|1763Mev total (before).1763Mev total (before).

235235U after split 8.5Mev per nucleon.|U after split 8.5Mev per nucleon.|2000Mev total (after).2000Mev total (after).

237Mev released in reaction.237Mev released in reaction.

s

Binding Energy perBinding Energy perNucleonNucleon

– Peaks at atomic numberPeaks at atomic number56 (Fe).56 (Fe).

– Less than 56 – FusionLess than 56 – Fusion

materialmaterial

» Best when atomic # isBest when atomic # islow.low.

– Greater than 56 – FissionGreater than 56 – Fissionmaterialmaterial

» Best when atomic # isBest when atomic # is

high.high.– Diminishing returns theDiminishing returns the

closer to 56.closer to 56.

– 235U and 239 Pu most235U and 239 Pu mostcommonly used forcommonly used forwarheads.warheads.

– Fission – more energy perFission – more energy per



Binding Energy perBinding Energy per

NucleonNucleon



FissionFission

Splitting of verySplitting of very

heavy nucleus intoheavy nucleus into

2 or more lighter2 or more lighter

nuclei.nuclei.



s Fission Warhead– Must be reliable and rapid.

– Usually produces at least one neutronor more.

– Neutrons cause exponentiallyincreasin reactions.



Deuterium-TritiumDeuterium-Tritium

FusionFusionDeuterium

Tritium

+ EnergyEnergy+Change betweenChange betweentotal bindingtotal binding

energy (before aenergy (before a

after).after).

+ 3H+ 3H 4 He + n + 18Mev4 He + n + 18Mev

Mev -8Mev -28Mev

Before After

v – (-28Mev) = 18 Mevv – (-28Mev) = 18 Mev

energy releasedenergy released

Deuterium Tritium Fusion



Deuterium-Tritium Fusion

s (1000g/D-T) (1 mol/5g) (6.02x10(1000g/D-T) (1 mol/5g) (6.02x102323 nuclei/mol) (1.6 x 10nuclei/mol) (1.6 x 10-19-19

J/eV) = 3.5 x10 J/eV) = 3.5 x101414 J J

s TNT release 4.68 x 10 TNT release 4.68 x 1066 J J

s

Relative Strength = (3.5 x 10Relative Strength = (3.5 x 101414

) / (4.68 x 10) / (4.68 x 1066

))= 7.5 x 10= 7.5 x 1077 or 75 million times theor 75 million times thestrength of TNTstrength of TNT

6564719 nuclear weapons and effects

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