Nuclear missiles of the world
The world's combined stockpile of nuclear weapons is around 22,000.
Of these, nearly 8,000 warheads are considered operational, of which
almost 2,000 U.S. and Russian warheads are on high alert, ready for
use on short notice. The estimate of nuclear weapons is given below.
nuclear weapons
Countries No of weapons
Russia 12,000
United States 9,600
France 300
China 240
UK 225
Israel 80
Pakistan 90
India 80
North Korea 10
There are two type of bombs. One is fission bomb or
normally called Atomic Bomb. The second type is fusion
bomb and it is also called Hydrogen bomb. Fission bombs
splits the nucleus of a heavy atom into smaller ones and the
energy released is the difference in the total binding energy
of nucleus. Neutrons initiate fission and are released by
fission, creating the chain reaction. Fusion bombs joins
smaller nuclei to make a larger one and energy released is
the difference in total binding energy of nucleus. Nuclei are
joined by extreme heat and pressure and is created by
fission bomb.
When the bomb goes off it creates a blast wave which is the rapid
heating of gases to millions of degrees and creates intense shock
wave. The reflection of the blast wave off the ground creates
constructive interference called the Match Stem effect. The next
effect is thermal radiation. X-rays from the detonation heat the
surrounding air, creating a fireball. The fireball gives off intense
thermal or infrared or heat radiation. The third effect is the nuclear
radiation. Neutrons are emitted from the fission/fusion reaction
directly. Gamma rays are emitted from the decay of fission products
and air secondary reactions of the nuetrons with the surrounding air.
The fourth effect is the EMP or the electro magnetic pulse. Large
scale voltage spike is caused by ionization of surrounding air. The
fifth effect is the fallout of radioactive particles from bomb and
surrounding material falling back to ground from mushroom cloud
Structures are shattered after the bomb explosion. The wind pressure
pushes it over. Combustible materials will catch fire. The people if
exposed will have inernal damage due to pressure and are thrown
about and will also be hit by flying objects. There will be burn and
radiation damages on humans. There are two types of radiation
effects. First is the somatic effect which is immediate and up to
months. Then there is the genetic effects which is a lifetime effects
causing cancer etc. Radiation and contamination can be from Alpha
particles which is Helium nucleus of 2 protons and 2 neutrons and
+2 charge. It can be from electron -1 charge or from positron +1
charge. Thirdly it could be from Gamma rays which have high
energy and neutral charge. It could be from Neutron which has
neutral charge that comes from fission
UNITS
Exposure - Roengten = the quantity of gamma rays that will producea
charge of 2.58 x 10-4 coulomb in 1 kg of dry air.
Absorbed dose - Rad = the absorption of 100 ergs of ionizing radiation
per gram of absorbing material (1 roentgen deposits 94 ergs in 1 gm of
body tissue)
Biological dose - Rem = number of rads x RBE
RBE = relative biological effectiveness
Alpha = 10 - 20 (internal, depends on organ)
Beta = 1
Gamma = 1
Neutron = 1 external, 4-10 (internal)
Metric: 1 Gray (Gy) = 1 J/kg
HOW MUCH IS HARMFUL?
50% chance of death (1-6 weeks).
>1,000 rem: almost always lethal in 1-2 weeks.
>5,000 rem: immediate incapacitation, death in 1-2 days.
NUCLEAR ATTACK DEFENSIVE MEASURES
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
FIRST EVENT: Bright flash followed by thermal pulse (8-10
seconds duration)
SECOND EVENT (15 seconds) : Blast wave, rapid rise in pressure
followed by extreme winds (in excess of 600 mph), winds last up
to 10 seconds, then reverse direction for 1-2 seconds.
THIRD EVENT (first minute): continuous exposure to high
radiation
NUCLEAR ATTACK DEFENSIVE MEASURES: PRIORITY OF
ACTIONS
COVER EYES/TURN AWAY: protect against flash blindness.
TAKE COVER: any sort of barrier will shield skin from burns.
HOLD ON: injuries to personnel are due to tumbling or being hit
by flying objects.
GET BEHIND SOME SUBSTANTIAL SHIELDING: neutrons and
gammas penetrate deeply, so get behind metal (best) or any thick
object for first minute or so.
FOR SHIPS: expect either the base surge or some sort of sunami
(tidal wave) in the next few minutes.
PUT OUT FIRES: over half the fatalities are usually due to
secondary fires.
GUARD AGAINST CONTINUED EXPOSURE/CONTAMINATION:
use respiratory protection, anti-contamination clothing and/or
wash-down systems.