How nuclear

weapons work.

Ryan McBeth
10/28/2022
ryanmcbeth.com
P+

e-
Topics Covered

● How a nuclear weapon works

● Weapons Effects
● Radiation
● Tactical and Strategic warheads
● Employment and delivery
● And nuclear electromagnetic pulse.
Nuclear War 101
What is Radiation?

● It’s a scary word

What is Radiation?

● It’s a scary word

● But it’s all around us
○ Light
What is Radiation?

● It’s a scary word

● But it’s all around us
○ Light
○ Dental - X Rays
What is Radiation?

● It’s a scary word

● But it’s all around us
○ Light
○ Dental - X Rays
○ Granite countertops
What is Radiation?

● It’s a scary word

● But it’s all around us
○ Light
○ Dental - X Rays
○ Granite countertops
○ Banana
High School Science

● Protons P+
High School Science

● Protons P+

● Neutrons N
High School Science

● Protons P+

● Neutrons N

● Electrons e-
Hydrogen
Hydrogen
e-

P+
Hydrogen
Hydrogen
e-

P+
Hydrogen
Hydrogen
e-

P+
The Atom 101 - Protons

e-

N
P+
The Atom 101 - Neutrons

e-

N
P+
The Atom 101 - Electrons

e-

N
P+
Hydrogen - The electron orbits
Maybe electrons don’t orbit?
Hydrogen

e-? e-?
e-?

e-?
e-?
e-? e-? e-? e-?

e-? e-?
e-?
e-?
e-? P+ e-?
e-?
e-?
e-? e-? e-?
e-?

e-? e-?
e-?
Hydrogen - But let’s just say it orbits
Hydrogen
e-

P+
Hydrogen
e- e-

P+ P+
P+
Hydrogen
e- e-

P+ N P+
P+ N
Hydrogen
e- e-

P+ N P+
P+ N

e-
Hydrogen Helium
e- e-

P+ N P+
P+ N

e-
Why does helium “float?”
 Oxygen

e-

e-
e-
e-

N P+
P+P+ N
N N P+P+
N N
P+ P+ NP+
N

e-
e-
e-

e-
 Oxygen and Nitrogen

e-
e-
e-
e- e-
e-
e-
N P+
N P+ P+P+ N
P+ N N N P+
P+
N N P+P+ N N
P+ P+ NP+
N N
P+ P+ NP+
N
e-
e-
e-
e- e-
e-
e-
e-
Why does helium “float?”
Hydrogen Helium
e- e- e-

P+ N P+ N P+
P+ N P+ N

e- e-
Hydrogen Helium
e- e- e-

P+
P+ N P+ N P+
P+ N P+NN

e- e-
Hydrogen Helium Lithium
e- e- e-

P+
P+ N P+ N P+ e-
P+ N P+NN

e- e-
Hydrogen
e-

P+
Hydrogen
e-

N
P+
Hydrogen
e-

N
P+
Isotope
Hydrogen
e-

N
P+
Hydrogen Isotopes

Hydrogen
e-

P+
Hydrogen Isotopes

Hydrogen Deuterium
e- e-

N
P+ P+
Hydrogen Isotopes

Hydrogen Deuterium Tritium

e- e- e-

N N N
P+ P+ P+
Hydrogen Isotopes

Hydrogen
e-

P+
Hydrogen Isotopes

Hydrogen Deuterium
e- e-

N
P+ P+
Hydrogen Isotopes

Hydrogen Deuterium
e- e-

N
P+ P+
Hydrogen Isotopes

Hydrogen Deuterium Tritium

e- e- e-

N N N
P+ P+ P+
Hydrogen Isotopes

Hydrogen Deuterium Tritium

e- e- e-

N N N
P+ P+ P+
Hydrogen Isotopes

Hydrogen Deuterium Tritium

e- e- e-

N N N
P+ P+ P+
Hydrogen Isotopes

Hydrogen Deuterium Tritium

e- e- e-

N N N
P+ P+ P+
Tritium becomes unstable

Hydrogen Deuterium Tritium

e- e- e-

N N
N
P+ P+
P+
Tritium becomes unstable

Hydrogen Deuterium Tritium

e- e- e-

N N
N
P+ P+ P+
Tritium becomes unstable

Hydrogen Deuterium Tritium

e- e- e-

N N
N
P+ P+ P+
Tritium becomes unstable

Hydrogen Deuterium Tritium

e- e- e-

N N
N
P+ P+
P+
Beta Decay

Tritium
e-

N N
P+
Beta Decay

Tritium
e-

N P+
P+
Beta Decay

e-

N P+
P+
Beta Decay

e-
e-

N P+
P+
Beta Decay

Helium-3
e-
e-

N P+
P+
Beta Decay
Helium-3
e-

e-

N P+
P+
Beta Decay
Helium-3
e-

N P+
P+
Beta Decay
Helium-3
e-

N P+
P+ e-
Beta Decay
Helium-3
e-

N P+ e-

P+
Beta Decay
Helium-3
e-

e-

N P+
P+
Beta Decay
Helium-3
e- e-

N P+
P+
Beta Decay
Helium-3
e-
e-

N P+
P+
What stops Beta Particles?
e-
What stops Beta Particles?
e-
What stops Beta Particles?
e-
What stops Beta Particles?
e-
What stops Beta Particles?
e-
What stops Beta Particles?
e-
What stops Beta Particles?
e-

e-
What stops Beta Particles?
e-

e-
What stops Beta Particles?
e-

e-
What stops Beta Particles?
e-

e-

e-
What stops Beta Particles?
e-

e-

e-
What stops Beta Particles?
e-

e-

e-
What stops Beta Particles?
e-

e-

e-
What stops Beta Particles?
e-

e-

e-
What stops Beta Particles?
e-

e-

e-
What stops Beta Particles?
e-

e-

THIS IS BAD e-
Beta radiation inside the body is bad
Beta radiation inside the body is bad

e-
e- e-

e- e-
e-
Beta radiation inside the body is bad
e-
e-
e-
e-
e- e-

e- e-
e-
e-
e- e-
Beta radiation inside the body is bad
e-
e-
e- e-
e-
e-
e-
e- e-

e- e-
e-
e-
e- e-
e-
e- e-
Beta radiation inside the body is bad
e-
e-
e- e-
e-
e-
e-
e- e-

e- e-
e-
e-
e- e-
e-
e- e-
Beta radiation inside the body is bad
e-
e-
e- e-
e-
e-
e-
e- e-

e- e-
e-
e-
e- e-
e-
e- e-
Beta radiation inside the body is bad
Half Life
Half Life

e-
Half Life

e-
Half Life

Helium-3
Half Life

Tritium
Types of Radiation
Types of Radiation
Beta e-
Types of Radiation
Beta e-

Alpha
Types of Radiation
Beta e-

Alpha

Neutron N
Types of Radiation
Beta e-

Alpha

Neutron N

Gamma
Uranium

N P+
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+P+
N P+ P+P+N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+
P+
N
P+
NP+
N
P+
P+N
P+
P+
N NP+N
P+
N N P+N P+ P+NNP+N
P+ NP+N
P+ NP+N
P+NN P+ P+ N P+
P+ NP+
NN P+
P+P+
N
N N
P+ P+ P+ N N P+ N
N NP+
N P+ P+ P+ N
P+ P+ NP+P+
P+N
P+
N N NN N
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+
P+ P+
P+P+NNP+N
N N P+N P+P+ P+NP+P+N
P+
N
NN NNN P+
P+ P+ P+P+ P+
NN N P+
P+P+
N NNNNP+P+P+NP+
N N
P+ P+
N P+ P+
N
P+N
P+ N P+
P+
N N N P+ P+N N
P+ P+ NP+
N
Uranium-238

N P+
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+P+
N P+ P+P+N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+
P+
N
P+
NP+
N
P+
P+N
P+
P+
N NP+N
P+
N N P+N P+ P+NNP+N
P+ NP+N
P+ NP+N
P+NN P+ P+ N P+
P+ NP+
NN P+
P+P+
N
N N
P+ P+ P+ N N P+ N
N NP+
N P+ P+ P+ N
P+ P+ NP+P+
P+N
P+
N N NN N
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+
P+ P+
P+P+NNP+N
N N P+N P+P+ P+NP+P+N
P+
N
NN NNN P+
P+ P+ P+P+ P+
NN N P+
P+P+
N NNNNP+P+P+NP+
N N
P+ P+
N P+ P+
N
P+N
P+ N P+
P+
N N N P+ P+N N
P+ P+ NP+
N
Uranium-238
● 4.468 B Half Life
N P+
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+P+
N P+ P+P+N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+
P+
N
P+
NP+
N
P+
P+N
P+
P+
N NP+N
P+
N N P+N P+ P+NNP+N
P+ NP+N
P+ NP+N
P+NN P+ P+ N P+
P+ NP+
NN P+
P+P+
N
N N
P+ P+ P+ N N P+ N
N NP+
N P+ P+ P+ N
P+ P+ NP+P+
P+N
P+
N N NN N
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+
P+ P+
P+P+NNP+N
N N P+N P+P+ P+NP+P+N
P+
N
NN NNN P+
P+ P+ P+P+ P+
NN N P+
P+P+
N NNNNP+P+P+NP+
N N
P+ P+
N P+ P+
N
P+N
P+ N P+
P+
N N N P+ P+N N
P+ P+ NP+
N
Uranium-238
● 4.468 B Half Life
N P+
● 92 Protons P+N
P+
N NNP+ N P+N P+
P+P+
P+N NNP+ NP+P+ N
N P+ P+
P+
NN N P+N P+
N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+
P+
N
P+
NP+
N
P+
P+N
P+
P+
N NP+N
P+
N N P+N P+ P+NNP+N
P+ NP+N
P+ NP+N
P+NN P+ P+ N P+
P+ NP+
NN P+
P+P+
N
N N
P+ P+ P+ N N P+ N
N NP+
N P+ P+ P+ N
P+ P+ NP+P+
P+N
P+
N N NN N
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+
P+ P+
P+P+NNP+N
N N P+N P+P+ P+NP+P+N
P+
N
NN NNN P+
P+ P+ P+P+ P+
NN N P+
P+P+
N NNNNP+P+P+NP+
N N
P+ P+
N P+ P+
N
P+N
P+ N P+
P+
N N N P+ P+N N
P+ P+ NP+
N
Uranium-238
● 4.468 B Half Life
N P+
● 92 Protons P+N
P+
N NP+ N P+N P+
● 146 Neutrons N P+ NP+N NNP+P+ P+ NP+
P+ N
NNP+
P+P+
N NP+
NN
P+ N P+N
P+ P+P+
P+
NP+P+N
N P+
P+
N P+N
P+
N N NN N N
P+
N N NP+ P+NNP+
NP+ P+P+
P+ P+
P+NN P+ P+ N N P+
P+ NP+
NN P+
P+P+
N N N N P+ N
P+ P+
N NP+
N P+ P+ P+P+
P+ NP+NP+P+
P+N
P+
N N NN
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+
P+ P+
P+ N
P+NNP+N
N N P+N P+P+ P+NP+P+N
P+
N
NN NNN P+
P+ P+ P+P+ P+
NN N P+
P+
N NN
P+ NNP+P+P+NP+
N N
P+ P+
N P+ P+
NP+N
P+ N P+
P+
N N N P+ P+N N
P+ P+ NP+
N
Uranium-238 - Becoming stable

N P+
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+P+
N P+ P+P+N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+N
P+P+P+P+ P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+ P+
N N P+N P+ P+NNP+N
P+ NP+N
P+ NP+N
P+NN N
P+ P+
NP+
NN P+ P+
P+P+
N P+
N N N N P+ N
P+ P+
N NP+
N P+ P+ P+P+
P+ NP+NP+P+
P+N
P+
N N NN
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+
P+ P+
P+ N
P+NNP+N
N N P+N P+P+ P+N P+N
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+
P+ P+N P+
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N
P+N
P+
N NP+N
P+ P+
N P+ NP+N N P+
P+
N NP+NP+
P+ NP+N
P+ P+ NP+N
Uranium-238 - Becoming stable

N P+
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+P+
N P+ P+P+N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+N
P+P+P+P+ P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+ P+
N N P+N P+ P+NNP+N
P+ NP+N
P+ NP+N
P+NN N
P+ P+
NP+
NN P+ P+
P+P+
N P+
N N N N P+ N
P+ P+
N NP+
N P+ P+ P+P+
P+ NP+NP+P+
P+N
P+
N N NN
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+
P+ P+
P+ N
P+NNP+N
N N P+N P+P+ P+N P+N
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+
P+ P+N P+
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N
P+N
P+
N NP+N
P+ P+
N P+ NP+N N P+
P+
N NP+NP+
P+ NP+N
P+ P+ NP+N
Uranium-238 - Becoming stable

N P+
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+P+
N P+ P+P+N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+N
P+P+P+P+ P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+ P+
N N P+N P+ P+NNP+N
P+ NP+N
P+ NP+N
P+NN N
P+ P+
NP+
NN P+ P+
P+P+
N P+
N N N N P+ N
P+ P+
N NP+
N P+ P+ P+P+
P+ NP+NP+P+
P+N
P+
N N NN
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+
P+ P+
P+ N
P+NNP+N
N N P+N P+P+ P+N P+N
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+
P+ P+N P+
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N
P+N
P+
N NP+N
P+ P+
N P+ NP+N N P+
P+
N NP+NP+
P+ NP+N
P+ P+ NP+N
Uranium-238 - Becoming stable

N P+
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+P+
N P+ P+P+N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+N
P+P+P+P+ P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+ P+
N N P+N P+ P+NNP+N
P+ NP+N
P+ NP+N
P+NN N
P+ P+
NP+
NN P+ P+
P+P+
N P+
N N N N P+ N
P+ P+
N NP+
N P+ P+ P+P+
P+ NP+NP+P+
P+N
P+
N N NN
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+
P+ P+
P+ N
P+NNP+N
N N P+N P+P+ P+N P+N
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+
P+ P+N P+
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N
P+N
P+
N NP+N
P+ P+
N P+ NP+N N P+
P+
N NP+NP+
P+ NP+N
P+ P+ NP+N
Alpha Compared to Beta.

Alpha

Beta
Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Isotopes of Uranium
Isotopes of Uranium
Uranium-238 Uranium-235

N P+
P+N
P+ N P+
N NNP+ N P+N P+ P+N
P+
P+P+
P+N NNP+ NP+P+ N N NNP+ N P+N P+
N P+ P+
P+ P+ P+
P+N NNP+
P+ NP+P+ N
NN N P+N
P+
P+ P+ N P+
N
P+ N
P+N
NN N NN NP+N
P+P+ P+ N P+ P+
P+
NN N P+N NP+NN
P+ P+ P+ P+ P+NN N NN NP+N
P+ P+P+P+ P+
N N P+N P+ P+NNP+N
P+ NP+N
P+ NP+N P+ P+P+ N P+ P+
N N P+ P+N NP+
NP+ P+
NP+
N
P+ NP+N

238
P+NN N
P+ P+
NP+
NN P+ P+ N P+ N

235
P+NN N
P+P+
N N N N P+ N
P+ P+ P+ P+
NP+
NN P+ P+
P+P+
N P+
N NP+
N P+ P+ P+P+
P+ NP+NP+P+
P+N
P+ N N N N P+ N
P+ P+
N NN N NP+
N P+ P+ P+P+
P+ NP+ NP+P+
P+N
P+
NP+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+ P+
P+ N N NN
N N P+N P+
P+P+ P+P+NNP+N NP+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+ P+
P+ N
P+ P+N
N P+P+P+ N
P+ P+N P+ N N P+N P+
P+P+ P+P+NNP+N
NN NN
P+ P+ NNP+NNNNP+N N P+ P+ N
N P+P+P+ N
P+ P+N P+
P+
P+ P+ P+P+
N NP+N NN NN
P+ P+ NNNNP+N
N P+ NP+N N P+
P+ NNP+
P+ P+N
P+
N NP+N
N NP+NP+
P+ NP+N P+ P+
N P+ P+
NP+N N P+
P+
P+ N N
P+ P+ NP+N N N N P+ P+
P+ P+ NP+
N
Uranium-238 Uranium-235

N P+ P+
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+P+ P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N P+ P+P+N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+ P+ N N NNP+ P+ P+
NN N P+N
P+ N NN P+ P+ P+N NN P+ NP+P+ N
P+ P+ N P+ NN N NN NP+N
P+P+P+P+ P+ P+
NN N P+N
P+ NP+NN
P+
N N P+N P+ P+NNP+P+
N P+
P+ NP+N
P+ NP+N P+ N NN N NN NP+N
P+ P+P+P+ P+
P+ P+P+ P+N P+
NP+
NP+
P+ P+
NP+
N
P+ NP+N
N NP+N

238
P+NN N
P+ P+
NP+
NN P+ P+ N P+

235
P+N N
P+P+
N N N N P+ N
P+ P+ P+ P+
NP+
NN P+ P+
P+P+
N P+
N NP+
N P+ P+ P+P+
P+ NP+NP+P+
P+N
P+ N N N N P+ N
P+ P+
N NN N NP+
N P+P+ P+P+P+ NP+ NP+P+
P+N
P+
NP+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+ P+
P+ N N NN
N N P+N P+
P+P+ P+P+NNP+N N
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+ P+
P+ N
P+ P+N
N P+P+P+ N
P+ P+N P+ N N P+N P+
P+ P+ P+P+NNP+N
NN NN
P+ P+ NNP+NNNNP+N N P+ P+ N
N P+P+P+ N
P+ P+N P+
P+
P+ P+ P+P+
N NP+N NN NN
P+ P+ NNNNP+N
N P+ NP+N N P+
P+ NNP+
P+ P+N
P+
N NP+N
N NP+NP+
P+ NP+N P+ P+
N P+ P+
NP+N N P+
P+
P+ N N
P+ P+ NP+N N N N P+ P+
P+ P+ NP+
N
Uranium-235

P+
P+P+N
N P+N P+
N NN
P+ P+P+
P+ P+P+N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+
NP+N NN
NN N NN NP+N
P+P+P+P+ P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+ P+
P+ P+NNP+
N NP+N NP+ NP+
NP+ NP+N
P+N N
P+ P+
NP+
NN P+ P+
P+P+
N P+
N N N N P+ N
P+ P+
N NP+
N P+P+ P+P+P+ NP+
N P+P+
P+N
P+
N N NN
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+
P+ P+
P+N
P+NNP+N
N N P+N P+P+ P+N P+
N
P+
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 Uranium-235

P+
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Uranium-235

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Uranium-235

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Uranium-235

P+
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Uranium-235

P+
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Uranium-235

P+
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Uranium-235

P+
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Uranium-235

P+
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Critical mass
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Little Boy - the First Bomb
European Scientists
Einstein–Szilard letter
Manhattan Project
Uranium-235
Gas Diffusion Enrichment
Centrifuge Enrichment
 Reactor and Weapons Grade

Reactor Grade
 Reactor and Weapons Grade

Reactor Grade Weapons Grade

Little Boy Gun Design
Little Boy Gun Design
Little Boy Gun Design
Little Boy Gun Design
Little Boy Gun Design
Little Boy Gun Design
Little Boy Gun Design
Little Boy Gun Design
Hiroshima
Measuring Yield

● Kiloton
Measuring Yield

● A kiloton is 1,000 tons of TNT

This is (roughly) what it would look like on a basketball court
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238
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238
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238
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238
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238
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238
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P+ P+ NP+ N
N
Meanwhile in a nuclear reactor
P+ N
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+ P+
N
N P+ P+
P+P+N NN P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+NP+
P+ P+P+P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+
P+ P+NNP+
N NP+N NP+ P+
NP+
NP+ NP+N

238
P+N N
P+ P+
NP+
NN P+ P+
P+P+
N P+
N N N N P+ N
P+ P+
N NP+
N P+P+ P+P+P+ NP+N P+P+
P+N
P+
N N NN
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+
P+ P+
P+N
P+NNP+N
N N P+N P+ P+ P+N P+
N
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+P+ P+N P+
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N N
P+P+
N NP+ N
P+ P+
N P+ N N N P+
P+
P+
N NP+ P+
N P+ NP+
N
P+ P+ NP+
N
N
Meanwhile in a nuclear reactor
P+ N
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+ P+
N
N P+ P+
P+P+N NN P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+NP+
P+ P+P+P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+
P+ P+NNP+
N NP+N NP+ P+
NP+
NP+ NP+N

238
P+N N
P+ P+
NP+
NN P+ P+
P+P+
N P+
N N N N P+ N
P+ P+
N NP+
N P+P+ P+P+P+ NP+N P+P+
P+N
P+
N N NN
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+
P+ P+
P+N
P+NNP+N
N N P+N P+ P+ P+N P+
N
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+P+ P+N P+
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N N
P+P+
N NP+ N
N
P+ P+
N P+ N N N P+
P+
P+
N NP+ P+
N P+ NP+
N
P+ P+ NP+ N
Meanwhile in a nuclear reactor
P+ N
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+ P+
N
N P+ P+
P+P+N NN P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+NP+
P+ P+P+P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+
P+ P+NNP+
N NP+N NP+ P+
NP+
NP+ NP+N

239
P+N N
P+ P+
NP+
NN P+ P+
P+P+
N P+
N N N N P+ N
P+ P+
N NP+
N P+P+ P+P+P+ NP+N P+P+
P+N
P+
N N NN
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+
P+ P+
P+N
P+NNP+N
N N P+N P+ P+ P+N P+
N
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+P+ P+N P+N
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N N
P+P+
N NP+ N
P+ P+
N P+ N N N P+
P+
P+
N NP+ P+
N P+ NP+
N
P+ P+ NP+ N
U239 is really unstable
P+ N
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+ P+
N
N P+ P+
P+P+N NN P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+NP+
P+ P+P+P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+
P+ P+NNP+
N NP+N NP+ P+
NP+
NP+ NP+N

239
P+N N
P+ P+
NP+
NN P+ P+
P+P+
N P+
N N N N P+ N
P+ P+
N NP+
N P+P+ P+P+P+ NP+N P+P+
P+N
P+
N N NN
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+
P+ P+
P+N
P+NNP+N
N N P+N P+ P+ P+N P+
N
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+P+ P+N P+N
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N N
P+P+
N NP+ N
P+ P+
N P+ N N N P+
P+
P+
N NP+ P+
N P+ NP+
N
P+ P+ NP+ N
U-239 becomes Np-239
P+ N
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+ P+
N
N P+ P+
P+P+N NN P+ NP+
P+ P+ N e-
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+NP+
P+ P+P+P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+
P+ P+NNP+
N NP+N NP+ P+
NP+
NP+ NP+N
P+NP+ P+Np239
NP+
NN P+ P+ N
P+
N N N N P+ N
P+ P+ P+
N P+
P+
P+
N NN P+N P+
P+ P+ P+ NP+N P+P+
P+N
N NN N P+
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N
P+ N P+
P+
P+
P+N N N
P+
N N P+N P+ P+ N N P+N
P+
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+P+ P+N P+N
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N N
P+P+
N NP+ N
P+ P+
N P+ N N N P+
P+
P+
N NP+ P+
N P+ NP+
N
P+ P+ NP+ N
Np-239
P+ N
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+ P+
N P+
N
P+
P+P+N NN P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+NP+
P+ P+P+P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+
P+ P+NNP+
N NP+N NP+ P+
NP+
NP+ NP+N
P+NP+ P+Np239
NP+
NN P+ P+ N
P+
N N N N P+ N
P+ P+ P+
N P+
P+
P+
N NN P+N P+
P+ P+ P+ NP+N P+P+
P+N
N NN N P+
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N
P+ N P+
P+
P+
P+N N N
P+
N N P+N P+ P+ N N P+N
P+
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+P+ P+N P+N
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N N
P+P+
N NP+ N
P+ P+
N P+ N N N P+
P+
P+
N NP+ P+
N P+ NP+
N
P+ P+ NP+ N
Pu-239
P+ N
e-
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+ P+
N
N P+ P+
P+P+N NN P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+NP+
P+ P+P+P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+
P+ P+NNP+
N NP+N NP+ P+
NP+
NP+ NP+P+
P+NP+ P+Pu239
NP+
P+ P+
NN P+ P+ N N P+
N N NP+N P+ P+ N P+
P+
N NN P+N P+
P+ P+ P+ NP+N P+P+
P+N
N NN N P+
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N
P+ N P+
P+
P+
P+N N N
P+
N N P+N P+ P+ N N P+N
P+
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+P+ P+N P+N
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N N
P+P+
N NP+ N
P+ P+
N P+ N N N P+
P+
P+
N NP+ P+
N P+ NP+
N
P+ P+ NP+ N
Pu-239
P+ N
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+ P+
N
N P+ P+
P+P+N NN P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+NP+
P+ P+P+P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+
P+ P+NNP+
N NP+N NP+ P+
NP+
NP+ NP+P+
P+NP+ P+Pu239
NP+
P+ P+
NN P+ P+ N N P+
N N NP+N P+ P+ N P+
P+
N NN P+N P+
P+ P+ P+ NP+N P+P+
P+N
N NN N P+
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N
P+ N P+
P+
P+
P+N N N
P+
N N P+N P+ P+ N N P+N
P+
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+P+ P+N P+N
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N N
P+P+
N NP+ N
P+ P+
N P+ N N N P+
P+
P+
N NP+ P+
N P+ NP+
N
P+ P+ NP+ N
PU-239 becomes U-235
P+ N
e-
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+ P+
N
N P+ P+
P+P+N NN P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+NP+
P+ P+P+P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+
P+ P+NNP+
N NP+N NP+ P+
NP+
NP+ NP+P+
P+NP+ P+U235
NP+
P+ P+
NN P+ P+ N N P+
N N NP+N P+ P+ N P+
P+
N NN P+N P+
P+ P+ P+ NP+N P+P+
P+N
N NN N P+
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N
P+ N P+
P+
P+
P+N N N
P+
N N P+N P+ P+ N N P+N
P+
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+P+ P+N P+N
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N N
P+P+
N NP+ N
P+ P+
N P+ N N N P+
P+
P+
N NP+ P+
N P+ NP+
N
P+ P+ NP+ N
Plutonium-239
Pu-239
P+ N
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+ P+
N
N P+ P+
P+P+N NN P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+NP+
P+ P+P+P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+
P+ P+NNP+
N NP+N NP+ P+
NP+
NP+ NP+P+
P+NP+ P+Pu239
NP+
P+ P+
NN P+ P+ N N P+
N N NP+N P+ P+ N P+
P+
N NN P+N P+
P+ P+ P+ NP+N P+P+
P+N
N NN N P+
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N
P+ N P+
P+
P+
P+N N N
P+
N N P+N P+ P+ N N P+N
P+
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+P+ P+N P+N
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N N
P+P+
N NP+ N
P+ P+
N P+ N N N P+
P+
P+
N NP+ P+
N P+ NP+
N
P+ P+ NP+ N
N
Pu-239
P+ N
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+ P+
N
N P+ P+
P+P+N NN P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+NP+
P+ P+P+P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+
P+ P+NNP+
N NP+N NP+ P+
NP+
NP+ NP+P+
P+NP+ P+Pu239
NP+
P+ P+
NN P+ P+ N N P+
N N NP+N P+ P+ N P+
P+
N NN P+N P+
P+ P+ P+ NP+N P+P+
P+N
N NN N P+
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N
P+ N P+
P+
P+
P+N N N
P+
N N P+N P+ P+ N N P+N
P+
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+P+ P+N P+N
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N N
P+P+
N NP+ N
P+ P+
N P+ N N N P+
P+
P+
N NP+ P+
N P+ NP+
N N
P+ P+ NP+ N
Pu-239
P+ N
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+ P+
N
N P+ P+
P+P+N NN P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+NP+
P+ P+P+P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+
P+ P+NNP+
N NP+N NP+ P+
NP+
NP+ NP+P+
P+NP+ P+Pu239
NP+
P+ P+
NN P+ P+ N N P+
N N NP+N P+ P+ N P+
P+
N NN P+N P+
P+ P+ P+ NP+N P+P+
P+N
N
N NN N P+
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N
P+ N P+
P+
P+
P+N N N
P+
N N P+N P+ P+ N N P+N
P+
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+P+ P+N P+N
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N N
P+P+
N NP+ N
P+ P+
N P+ N N N P+
P+
P+
N NP+ P+
N P+ NP+
N
P+ P+ NP+ N
Pu-240
P+ N
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+ P+
N
N P+ P+
P+P+N NN P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N
P+ N NN
NN N NN NP+NP+
P+ P+P+P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+
P+ P+NNP+
N NP+N NP+ P+
NP+
NP+ NP+P+
P+NP+ P+Pu240
NP+
P+ P+
NN P+ P+ N N P+
N N NP+N P+ P+ N P+
N
P+
N NN P+N P+
P+ P+ P+ NP+N P+P+
P+N
N NN N P+
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N
P+ N P+
P+
P+
P+N N N
P+
N N P+N P+ P+ N N P+N
P+
NN NNP+
N P+P+P+P+ P+N P+N
P+ P+ NNP+
P+ NNNNP+N N
P+P+
N NP+ N
P+ P+
N P+ N N N P+
P+
P+
N NP+ P+
N P+ NP+
N
P+ P+ NP+ N
Plutonium-240

P+
P+P+N
N P+N P+
N NN
P+ P+P+
N P+ P+ P+N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+
NP+N NN
NN N NN NP+N
P+P+P+P+ P+
P+ P+ N P+
P+ P+ P+
P+ P+NNP+
N NP+N NP+ NP+
NP+ NP+N
P+N N
P+ P+
NP+
NN P+ P+
P+P+
N P+
N N N N P+ N
P+ P+
N NP+
N P+P+ P+P+P+ NP+
N P+P+
P+N
P+
N N NN
P+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+
P+ P+
P+N
P+NNP+N
N N P+N P+P+ P+N P+
N
P+
NN NNN P+P+P+P+ P+N P+
P+ P+ P+ NNNNP+N
NNP+ N
P+P+
N NP+ N
P+ P+
N P+ N N N P+
P+
P+
N NP+ P+
N P+ NP+
N
P+ P+ NP+N
Plutonium-240

P+
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NN
P+ P+P+
N P+ P+ P+N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+
N
P+NN
P+ N
NP+N
P+N
P+
N NP+N
P+
P+ P+
P+P+ P+ N P+
P+ N
P+ P+ P+
N NN
P+P+
NN
N
N
P+
N
P+
NP+
P+
P+N
N
P+N
N
NN
P+
P+
N
P+
P+
P+N
P+
N
N
N
P+
N
N
N
N
P+
P+
P+
NP+
P+N
P+
N
P+
N
P+NN
P+ P+ N P+ P+
N NN N
N N N P+
P+ P+
N N P+N
P+P+ P+NP+P+NP+P+P+
P+
N
P+
P+
NN NNN P+
P+ P+ P+
NN P+ NN N
P+N
P+ P+P+ NNP+P+P+NP+
N
P+ N
N P+ P+
N
P+N
P+
P+ N
N N N P+ P+N N
P+ P+ NP+
N
 N
N
N P+
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+P+
N P+ P+P+P+N NNP+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+
P+
N
P+
NP+
N
P+
P+N
P+
P+
N NP+N
P+
N NP+NP+ P+NNP+N
P+ NP+N
P+ NP+N
P+N P+ P+ N P+
P+ NP+
NN P+
P+P+
N
P+ N N N P+ N

P+ P+ N NP+
N NN P+NP+ P+P+
P+ NP+NN NP+
P+N
P+
NP+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+ P+
P+
N N P+N P+
P+P+ P+P+NNP+N
P+ P+N
N P+P+P+ N
P+ P+N P+
NN NN
P+ P+ NNP+NNNNP+N N
P+
P+ P+ P+P+
N NP+ N
N P+ N N N P+
P+
P+
N NP+ P+
N P+ NP+
N
P+ P+ NP+ N
Little Boy Gun Design
Little Boy Gun Design
Little Boy Gun Design
Little Boy Gun Design

N N N

N N
N
Little Boy Gun Design
Little Boy Gun Design
Fat Man
Fat Man
Fat Man
Fat Man
Fat Man
Neutron reflector
Neutron reflector
Neutron reflector
Neutron reflector
Neutron reflector
Neutron reflector
Nagasaki, Japan
Fat Man
Boosted Fission Weapons

Deuterium Tritium
e- e-

N N N
P+ P+
Boosted Fission Weapons

Deuterium
Tritium
e- e-

N N N
P+ P+
Boosted Fission Weapons

Deuterium
Tritium
e- e-

N N N
P+ P+
Fusion
Helium
Fusion
Helium
Fusion powers the sun
Boosted Fusion
Boosted Fusion
Fat Man
Fat Man
Boosted Fission Weapons

Deuterium Tritium
e- e-

N N N
P+ P+
Boosted Fission Weapons

Deuterium
Tritium
e- e-

N N N
P+ P+
Fusion
Helium
Fusion
Helium
Neutron reflector
Modern Weapons
Modern Weapons
Modern Weapons
Modern Weapons
Modern Weapons
Lithium-6-deuteride

Li
Lithium-6-deuteride

H Li
Modern Weapons
How a modern bomb works
How a modern bomb works
How a modern bomb works
How a modern bomb works
How a modern bomb works
How a modern bomb works
How a modern bomb works
How a modern bomb works
Lithium-6-Deuteride absorbs neutrons

H Li
Lithium-6-Deuteride absorbs neutrons

H Li
Lithium-6-Deuteride absorbs neutrons

H Li
Lithium-6-Deuteride absorbs neutrons

H Li
Lithium-6-Deuteride absorbs neutrons

H Li
Lithium-6-Deuteride absorbs neutrons

H Li
Lithium-6-Deuteride absorbs neutrons

H Li
Lithium-6-Deuteride absorbs neutrons

H Li
Lithium-6-Deuteride absorbs neutrons

H Li
Lithium-6-Deuteride absorbs neutrons

H Li
Splitting into Tritium and helium

H Li

Helium Tritium

N N
P+
Splitting into Tritium and helium

H Li

Helium Tritium

N N
P+
Splitting into Tritium and helium

Helium Tritium

N N
P+
 Splitting into Tritium and helium

Deuterium
e-

Helium Tritium
N
P+
N N
P+
And releasing a Neutron

Deuterium Tritium
e- e-

N N N
P+ P+
Fusion happens again

Deuterium Tritium
e- e-

N N N
P+ P+
Fusion happens again

Deuterium
Tritium
e- e-

N N N
P+ P+
Lithium-6-Deuteride absorbs neutrons

H Li
Fusion happens again
Helium
Fusion happens again
Helium
Fusion happens again
Helium
Nuclear Weapon Effects

● Ionizing radiation
Nuclear Weapon Effects

● Ionizing radiation

● Thermal Effects
Nuclear Weapon Effects

● Ionizing radiation

● Thermal Effects

● Blast
Immediate Ionizing Radiation

● X-rays
Immediate Ionizing Radiation

● X-rays

● Gamma rays

● Neutrons
X-rays Produced from electrons

e-
X-rays Produced from electrons
e-
X-rays Produced from electrons

e-
Gamma Rays

P+
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NN
P+ P+P+
N P+ P+ P+N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+
N
P+NN
P+ N
NP+N
P+N
P+
N NP+N
P+
P+ P+
P+P+ P+ N P+
P+ N
P+ P+ P+
N NN
P+P+
NN
N
N
P+
N
P+
NP+
P+
P+N
N
P+N
N
NN
P+
P+
N
P+
P+
P+N
P+
N
N
N
P+
N
N
N
N
P+
P+
P+
NP+
P+N
P+
N
P+
N
P+NN
P+ P+ N P+ P+
N NN N
N N N P+
P+ P+
N N P+N
P+P+ P+NP+P+NP+P+P+
P+
N
P+
P+
NN NNN P+
P+ P+ P+
NN P+ NN N
P+N
P+ P+P+ NNP+P+P+NP+
N
P+ N
N P+ P+
N
P+N
P+
P+ N
N N N P+ P+N N
P+ P+ NP+
N
Gamma Rays
P+
P+N
P+ N P+N P+
N NNP+ P+P+
N P+ P+P+P+N NNP+ NP+
P+ P+ N
NN N P+N N NN
P+ P+ NP+
P+
P+
N
P+
NP+
N
P+
P+N
P+
P+
N NP+N
P+
N NP+NP+ P+NNP+N
P+ NP+N
P+ NP+N
P+N P+ P+ N P+
P+ NP+
NN P+
P+P+
N
P+ N N N P+ N

P+ P+ N NP+
N NN P+NP+ P+P+
P+ NP+NN NP+
P+N
P+
NP+NN
P+ P+ N
N N N P+ P+
P+
N N P+N P+
P+P+ P+P+NNP+N
P+ P+N
N P+P+P+ N
P+ P+N P+
NN NN
P+ P+ NNP+NNNNP+N N
P+
P+ P+ P+P+
N NP+ N
N P+ N N N P+
P+
P+
N NP+ P+
N P+ NP+
N
P+ P+ NP+ N
Immediate Ionizing Radiation

● X-rays

● Gamma rays

● Neutrons
X-Rays
X-Rays
What stops gamma rays?

● Water
What stops gamma rays?

● Water

● Concrete
What stops gamma rays?

● Water

● Concrete

● Lead
Irradiated food is safe to fly on ISS
Irradiated food is safe to fly on ISS
How Gamma Rays kill
How Gamma Rays kill
How Gamma Rays kill
e-

e-

e-
Radiation therapy
Neutrons
Neutrons
Neutrons
Neutrons
Neutrons
Radioactive Steel
Cobalt-59 in the structural steel

N P+NN P+
P+
P+ P+ P+NN P+
N N P+
NN NN
P+ P+ P+P+
NP+ N
P+
P+NNP+
NNNN P+N
P+P+
P+ P+ P+
N N P+N P+ NP+
N N
P+ P+ P+
Cobalt-59 in the structural steel

N P+NN P+
P+
P+ P+ P+NN P+
N N P+
NN NN
P+ P+ P+P+
NP+ N
P+
P+NNP+
NNNN P+N
P+P+
P+ P+ P+
N N P+N P+ NP+
N N
P+ P+ P+
Cobalt-59 in the structural steel

N P+NN P+
P+
P+ P+ P+NN P+
N N P+
NN NN
P+ P+ P+P+
NP+ N
P+
P+NNP+
NNNN P+N
P+P+
P+ P+ P+
N N P+N P+ NP+
N N
P+ P+ P+
Became Cobalt-60

N P+NN P+
P+
P+ P+ P+NN P+
N N P+
NN NN
P+ P+ P+P+
NP+ N
P+
P+NNP+
NNNN P+N
P+P+
P+ P+ P+
N N P+N P+ NP+
N N
P+ P+ P+
What stops neutrons?

● Water

● Concrete
Measuring Radiation

● Sievert
Measuring Radiation

● Sievert
● Gray
Measuring Radiation

● Sievert
● Gray
● REM
Measuring Radiation

● Sievert
● Gray
● REM
● RAD
Fukushima made things confusing
REM - Roentgen Equivalent Man
RAD - Radiation Absorbed Dose
RAD - Radiation Absorbed Dose
Radiation dislodges electrons
Radiation dislodges electrons
Radiation dislodges electrons
Radiation dislodges electrons
Radiation dislodges electrons
How Radiation Kills
How Radiation Kills
How Radiation Kills
e-

e-

e-
Absorbed, Equivalent and Effective
 Absorbed, Equivalent and Effective

Absorbed
 Absorbed, Equivalent and Effective

Absorbed Equivalent
 Absorbed, Equivalent and Effective

Absorbed Equivalent Effective

Everyday RAD Dose

Flying ~ 5MR / Trip

Chest X-ray ~ 10 MR / image

RAD Worker ~ 5 REM / year

 Radiation health effects chart

20-100 REM White blood cell loss

 Radiation health effects chart

20-100 REM White blood cell loss

100-200 REM Vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue; reduction in resistance to infection in hours

 Radiation health effects chart

20-100 REM White blood cell loss

100-200 REM Vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue; reduction in resistance to infection in hours

200-300 REM All of the above plus bone marrow damage. 10-35% die within days.
 Radiation health effects chart

20-100 REM White blood cell loss

100-200 REM Vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue; reduction in resistance to infection in hours

200-300 REM All above plus bone marrow damage. 10-35% mortality within days.

> 400 REM All of the above plus almost 100% mortality within days for most.
Potassium Iodide
Diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA)
Airburst and surface burst
Airburst
Airburst
Airburst
Airburst
Airburst
Surface / Ground Burst
Surface / Ground Burst
Surface / Ground Burst
Surface / Ground Burst
Surface / Ground Burst
Surface / Ground Burst
Surface / Ground Burst
Surface burst for hardened targets
Fallout
Fallout
Falout
Fallout on a map
Fallout Decay
Fallout Decay
Fallout Decay
Fallout Decay
Fallout Decay
7/10 Rule
For every sevenfold
increase in time…
There is a tenfold
decrease in Radiation rate.
Prevent Exposure:

● Time
Prevent Exposure:

● Time

● Shielding
Prevent Exposure:

● Time

● Shielding

● Distance
Time

● Limit your exposure by limiting time outside.

Shielding

● If you are outside find shelter

Shielding

● If you are outside find shelter

● Cover yourself with a blanket
Shielding

● If you are outside find shelter

● Cover yourself with a blanket
● Go to a basement or parking garage
Shielding

● If you are outside find shelter

● Cover yourself with a blanket
● Go to a basement or parking garage
● Put as much shielding between you
And the outside.
If in a tall building

● Middle floors are safer

If in a tall building

● Middle floors are safer

● Stay away from the windows
If you were outside…

● Take a shower
If you were outside…

● Take a shower
If you were outside…

● Take a shower
● Remove your clothes place them in a bag
and discard them in a shielded area.
Don’t use conditioner
Inverse square law

● Double your distance and radiation goes down by a

factor of four
Stay away from radiation sources

● Puddles are very dangerous and collect fallout

If you have to go outside

● Wear a mask - even a paper mask

If you have to go outside

● Wear a mask - even a paper mask

● Wear goggles or glasses with side-shields
Only bring what you need with you
Don’t eat contaminated animals
Size of the bomb doesn’t increase Radiation Distance (much)
 Destruction Zones

Almost
100%
Casualties

Fireball
 Destruction Zones

Almost Many Fatal injuries.

100% Radiation poisoning, large
Casualties buildings damaged or
destroyed.

Fireball Heavy Damage

 Destruction Zones

Almost Many Fatal injuries. Partially collapsed

100% Radiation poisoning, large buildings. Major burns
Casualties buildings damaged or from personnel who were
destroyed. outside. Minor radiation
poisoning.

Fireball Heavy Damage Moderate Damage

 Destruction Zones

Almost Many Fatal injuries. Partially collapsed Broken windows, light

100% Radiation poisoning, large buildings. Major burns damage and flash burns.
Casualties buildings damaged or from personnel who were Injuries from flying glass
destroyed. outside. Minor radiation or vehicle accidents.
poisoning.

Fireball Heavy Damage Moderate Damage Light Damage

Tactical and Strategic Warheads
Tactical and Strategic Warheads
Tactical weapons
Tactical weapons
Tactical weapons
Tactical weapons
Strategic Weapons
Strategic Weapons
Strategic Weapons
Strategic Weapons
Counterforce and Countervalue
Counterforce and Countervalue

● We need to look at this critically

Counterforce and Countervalue

● We need to look at this critically

● Forget about morals, just look at
deployment
Counterforce

● Troop Concentrations
Counterforce

● Troop Concentrations

● Military Manufacturing
Counterforce

● Troop Concentrations

● Military Manufacturing

● Shipbuilding
Counterforce

● Troop Concentrations

● Military Manufacturing

● Shipbuilding

● Embarkation ports
Counterforce

● Troop Concentrations

● Military Manufacturing

● Shipbuilding

● Embarkation ports
Counterforce

● Troop Concentrations

● Military Manufacturing

● Shipbuilding

● Embarkation ports

● Missile Silos
Ships are excellent targets
Ships are excellent targets
Ships are excellent targets
Ships are excellent targets
Ships are excellent targets
Tactics changed in the 50’s and 60’s
Marines pivoted to helicopters
Pentomic Army
Pentomic Army
X
 Pentomic Army

X
X

X
X
X
 Pentomic Army

X
X

X
X
X
 Pentomic Army

X
X

X
X
X
 Pentomic Army

X
X X

X X
 Pentomic Army

X
X X

X X
 X
Pentomic Army
X X

X
Nuclear weapons at division level
Countervalue
Modern Counter Value Targets

● Walmart
● Azure / AWS
● FedEx /UPS
Gravity Bombs
Ballistic Missiles
Ballistic Missiles
MIRV - Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles
Cruise missiles
Hypersonic missiles
Electromagnetic Pulse
Electromagnetic Pulse
Gamma Rays Ionize air molecules
Gamma Rays Ionize air molecules
e-
e-
e-
e-

N P+
P+P+ N
N N P+P+
N N
P+ P+ NP+
N

e-
e-
e-

e-
Electromagnetic Pulse

e-
Electromagnetic Pulse
e-

e-
Electromagnetic Pulse
e-

e-

e-
Electromagnetic Pulse
e- e-

e-

e-
Electromagnetic Pulse
e- e-
e-
e-

e-
Electromagnetic Pulse
e- e-
e-
e-
e-
e-
Electromagnetic Pulse
e- e-
e-
e-
e-
e-

e-
Electromagnetic Pulse
e- e-
e-
e-
e-
e-

e-

e-
Gamma Rays Ionize air molecules
e-

e-
e-
e-

N P+
P+P+ N
N N P+P+
N N
P+ P+ NP+
N

e-
e-
e-

e-
Electromagnetic Pulse
e- e-
e-
e-
e-
e-

e-

e-

e-
Electromagnetic Pulse
e- e-
e-
e-
e-
e-

e-

e-

e-

e-
Electromagnetic Pulse
e- e-
e-
e-
e-
e-

e-

e-

e-

e-

e-
Electromagnetic Pulse
e- e-
e-
e-
e-
e-

e-

e-

e-

e-

e-
e-
This acts as a generator
e- e-
e-
e-
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e-

e-

e-

e-

e-
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Radio waves are released
e- e-
e-
e-
e-
e-

e-

e-

e-

e-

e-
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Until the waves find an antenna
The US power grid is 16000 miles of antenna
This was tested in 1962 with Starfish Prime
This caused damage 500 miles away
This caused damage 500 miles away
We deal with EMP all the time
We deal with EMP all the time
We don’t know the modern effects of EMP.
In summary

● Radiation is not the boogieman

In summary

● Radiation is not the boogieman

● You stand a good chance of surviving
In summary

● Radiation is not the boogieman

● You stand a good chance of surviving
● Weapons can be delivered in multiple ways
In summary

● Radiation is not the boogieman

● You stand a good chance of surviving
● Weapons can be delivered in multiple ways
● You know how EMP works