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[[Image:Nevada test site.jpg|thumb|right|The Nevada Nuclear Test Site where the first nuclear weapons were tested]]A '''nuclear weapon''' is a [[bomb]] which derives its destructive force from an uncontrolled nuclear detonation, releasing massive amounts of thermal, and (as a byproduct), radioactive energy.  Conventional weapons use a chemical reaction as the source of their explosive force.

[[Image:Nevada test site.jpg|thumb|right|The Nevada Nuclear Test Site where the first nuclear weapons were tested]]A '''nuclear weapon''' is a [[bomb]] which derives its destructive force from an uncontrolled nuclear detonation, releasing massive amounts of thermal, and (as a byproduct), radioactive energy.  Conventional weapons use a chemical reaction as the source of their explosive force.

Nuclear weapons usually have dramatically more destructive power than conventional weapon, where the power of a nuclear weapon is measured in megatons.  One megaton has the equivalent explosive force of 1,000,000 tons of [[TNT]].

Nuclear weapons usually have dramatically more destructive power than conventional weapon, where the power of a nuclear weapon is measured in kilotons.  One kiloton has the equivalent explosive force of 1,000 tons of [[TNT]].

[[Little Boy]] was the first of two atomic bombs ever used during warfare. It was developed by the United States during [[World War II]], and was dropped on the Japanese city of [[Hiroshima]] on August 6th, 1945.  It had an explosive for of approximately 13 kilotons.  Modern megatons.  Given the strength and size of the current US nuclear arsenal, the use of even a fraction of it would have devastating effects on the world's climate, probably rendering it unsuitable for human life.

[[Little Boy]] was the first of two atomic bombs ever used during warfare. It was developed by the United States during [[World War II]], and was dropped on the Japanese city of [[Hiroshima]] on August 6th, 1945.  It had an explosive for of approximately 13 kilotons.  Modern U.S. nuclear weapons such as the W88 warhead used on the Trident II missile, has a yield of 475 kilotons.  Given the strength and size of the current US nuclear arsenal, the use of even a fraction of it would have devastating effects on the world's climate, probably rendering it unsuitable for human life.

==Types of Nuclear Weapons==

==Types of Nuclear Weapons==

===Fission Bombs===

===Fission Bombs===

Fission bombs are characterized by a type of bomb where the nuclear force comes from a [[fission reaction]].  At it’s simplest, two sub-critical amounts of a fissile material are joined to form a super [[critical mass]] which undergoes a spontaneous chain reaction.  Bombs such as these usually use isotopes of [[uranium]] (uranium-235, uranium-233) or [[plutonium]]-239 as the fissile material.

Fission bombs are characterized by a type of bomb where the nuclear force comes from a [[fission reaction]].  At it’s simplest, two sub-critical amounts of a fissile material are joined to form a [[critical mass]] which undergoes a spontaneous chain reaction.  Bombs such as these usually use isotopes of [[uranium]] (uranium-235, uranium-233) or [[plutonium]]-239 as the fissile material.

[[Little Boy]] and [[Fat Man]], developed and used in World War II by the United States are examples of fission bombs.

[[Little Boy]] and [[Fat Man]], developed and used in World War II by the United States are examples of fission bombs.