Neutron bombs

Other specific types of nuclear weapons are commonly referred to by their names such as neutron bombs (enhanced radiation weapons), cobalt bombs and salted bombs. The atomic bomb was the first nuclear weapon to be developed, tested and used. It was developed under the direction of American physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904—1967) and implemented toward the end of World War... 

The neutrons are the worst problem of radiation. The human body contains a high percentage of H2O, which absorbs neutrons very efficiendy. A new weapon, the neutron bomb, produces massive amounts of neutrons and so is effective against people, but it does not produce the long-lasting radiation of the fission atomic bomb. 

Nuclear chemistry is very much in the news today. In addition TO APPLICATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ATOMIC BOMBS, HYDROGEN BOMBS, AND NEUTRON BOMBS, EVEN THE PE.A.CEFUL USE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY HAS BECOME CONTROVERSIAL, IN PART BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS AND ALSO BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS WITH DISPOSAL OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES. IN THIS CHAPTER WE WILL STUDY NUCLEAR REACTIONS, THE STABILITY OF THE ATOMIC NUCLEUS, RADIOACTIVITY, AND THE EFFECTS OF RADIATION ON BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS. 

The cyanide smudge pot is the poor man s neutron bomb. It s very simple and if you have the sense or the opportunity to use wind direction, you can not only protect yourself from any land at-tacK, but can take your opponenVs equipment with impunity. 

Oliphant also stopped by to talk to Fermi. He found the Italian laureate more cautious than ever, non-committal about the fast-neutron bomb and not altogether happy about the Bohr-Wheeler theory of fission. ... 

C- Chicago Metallurgical Laboratory reports. The sufibces F, P, E, C, H denote F - fast neutron (bomb-related) P physics E - engineering C - chemistry H - health physics. Memoranda received various designations, e.g., MUC, N, etc. 

Fusion bombs, where the rapid compression of the fusion material is obtained by conventional explosives. These bombs are usually named neutron bombs as the radiologjeal effeet is mainly due to neutrons emitted in the blast. 

In addition to a distinetion on the basis of the type of reaction used, the bombs are said to be clean or dirty according to the radioactive contamination they cause. Typically, the neutron bombs are clearr those based on fission-fusion are dirty . Another category, salted , are weapons in which a layer of uranium-238 has been inserted, in order to increase the consequent radioactive contamination. 

This branch of chemistry began with the discovery of natural radioactivity by Antoine Becquerel and grew as a result of subsequent investigations by Pierre and Marie Curie and many others. Nuclear chemistry is very much in the news today. In addition to applications in the manufacture of atomic bombs, hydrogen bombs, and neutron bombs, even the peaceful use of nuclear energy has become controversial, in part because of safety concerns about nuclear power plants and also because of problems with radioactive waste disposal. In this chapter, we wiU study nuclear reactions, the stability of the atomic nucleus, radioactivity, and the effects of radiation on biological systems. 

Radiating (nuclear) weapons produce energy in the form of an explosive blast, in addition to gamma rays and neutrons that destroy unprotected tissue, particularly DNA. (Thus, mustard agents and T2 mycotoxin, because of their similar effects, are sometimes referred to as radiomimetic. ) Enhanced radiation warheads, or neutron bombs, minimize the destruction of materials while maximizing lethalities among enemy personnel. 

Combined weapons using both fission and fusion have been tested. Neutron bombs use fission to initiate a fusion reaction, resulting in limited blast and heat but massive amounts of highly dangerous radiation. 

NEUTRON BOMB. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles stated in October 1957 that recent tests point to the possibility of possessing nuclear weapons, the destructiveness and radiation effects of which can be confined substantially to predetermined targets. Dulles was referring to the neutron bomb, which uses prompt radiation effects (principally from neutrons) to destroy living organisms but which has modest conventional-weapon effects such as blast and high temperatures. The neutron bomb would have relatively little radioactive fall-... 

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