years. Meteorological conditions, such as atmospheric
REVIEW QUESTIONS
p r e s s u r e , t e m p e r a t u r e , h u m i d i t y, w i n d s , a n d
precipitation, can affect some of the observed
Q1.
Electrons, protons, and neutrons are the three
phenomena. All nuclear detonations, however,
subatomic particles that make up an atom.
produce effects that can damage equipment and injure
personnel.
1.
True
A general explanation of the militarily significant
2.
False
effects of nuclear weapons is as follows:
Q2.
The electron has what type of electrical
The energy yield of a nuclear weapon is described
charge?
in terms of the amount of TNT that would be required
1.
Active
to release a similar amount of energy. Thus a nuclear
weapon capable of releasing an amount of energy
2.
Positive
equal to the energy released by 20,000 tons of TNT is
3.
Neutral
said to be a 20-kiloton (KT) weapon. A nuclear
weapon capable of releasing an amount of energy
4.
Negative
equal to the energy released by 1 million tons of TNT is
Q3.
The nucleus of an atom is composed of what
said to be a 1-megaton (MT) weapon.
two particles of matter?
The yield of a nuclear weapon may be a fraction of
1.
Electrons and ions
a kiloton or up to several megatons. Although the total
yield of the weapon is not significantly influenced by
2.
Photons and qualms
the environment about the burst point, the relative
3.
Protons and neutrons
effect of the weapon depends significantly on the
4.
Monatomic molecules and quarks
location of the detonation. Therefore, nuclear
detonations are classified according to their location as
Q4.
The proton has what type of an electrical
one of the following:
charge?
Airburst
1.
Alternating
High-altitude burst
2.
Positive
Surface burst
3.
Neutral
4.
Negative
Underwater burst
Underground burst
TYPES OF NUCLEAR BURSTS
NOTE
Learning Objective: Recall the different types of
Underwater and underground bursts are
nuclear bursts and their characteristics.
often referred to as subsurface bursts.
When a nuclear device is detonated in space, in the
atmosphere, or at or below the surface of the earth or
AIRBURST
ocean, many characteristic effects are produced. Some
effects, such as nuclear radiations and expanding
An airburst (fig. 10-2) is a burst where the point of
debris, are common to all of these environments,
detonation is below an altitude of 100,000 feet, and the
though varying in degree. Other effects, such as
fireball does not touch the surface of the earth. Air
cratering, blast, and water shock, are particular to
blast, thermal radiation (heat and light),
certain environments. Effects, such as light and heat,
electromagnetic pulse, and initial nuclear radiation
are visible or tangible. Others, like nuclear radiations,
(neutron and gamma rays) are produced around the
are not directly apparent and can only be discerned by
point of detonation. There will be no significant
instruments or secondary effects. Some effects occur
residual nuclear radiation (gamma and beta radiation)
in and last only microseconds, whereas others occur in
from the resulting radioactive material unless rain or
microseconds but linger for days, months, or even
snow falls through the radioactive cloud.
10-2
