neutron bomb
Kills, spares buildings
A neutron bomb is a nuclear weapon designed to maximize radiation while minimizing blast and heat.
The intense burst of neutrons kills people while leaving buildings and infrastructure relatively intact.
Developed during the Cold War as a tactical weapon, it was controversial precisely because it was optimized to kill humans: The neutron bomb was called the capitalist bomb—it destroys people but preserves property.
Nuclear breakup releasing energy
- chain reactionSelf-sustaining causal sequence
- critical massThreshold for self-sustaining reaction
- isotopeElemental variant by mass
- plutoniumActinide, atomic number 94
uranium · nucleus · gamma rays · nuclear physics · particle physics · radioactive decay · half-life · fallout
Study of right conduct
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- debateFormal argument on issues
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
arms race · disarmament · non-proliferation · treaty · ban · Cold War · escalation · diplomacy
Preplanned area of concentrated fire
- radiation sicknessIllness from ionizing exposure
- genetic damage
Small output relative to input
- antipersonnelDesigned to injure people
- antitankDesigned against armored vehicles
- counterforceMilitary-targeted strike capability
- precision strikeTargeted military attack
fission
Nuclear breakup releasing energy
- chain reactionSelf-sustaining causal sequence
- critical massThreshold for self-sustaining reaction
- isotopeElemental variant by mass
plutonium · uranium · nucleus · gamma rays · nuclear physics · particle physics · radioactive decay · half-life · fallout · contamination
ethics
Study of right conduct
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- debateFormal argument on issues
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
deterrence · arms race · disarmament · non-proliferation · treaty · ban · Cold War · escalation · diplomacy · humanitarian concerns
kill zone
Preplanned area of concentrated fire
- radiation sicknessIllness from ionizing exposure
- genetic damage
low yield
Small output relative to input
- antipersonnelDesigned to injure people
- antitankDesigned against armored vehicles
- counterforceMilitary-targeted strike capability
precision strike · warfighting · engagement · maneuver · preemptive strike
- nuclear weaponswarheads, warhead, nuclear warhead, nuke, nuclear missile
- neutron physics
- SuperweaponsWMD, doomsday device, superweapon, nuclear warhead, ICBM
- Jimmy CarterJimmy Carter, peanut farmer, Camp David Accords, Iran hostage crisis, presidency
neutron bombhydrogen bomb
Thermonuclear fusion weapon
thermonuclear bomb · atomic bomb · fission bomb · Tsar Bomba · incendiary bomb
neutron bombbunker buster
Weapon piercing reinforced structures
wrecking ball · siege weapon · artillery · bulldozer · MOAB
neutron bombnon-lethal weapon
Armament designed to incapacitate
stun grenade · tear gas · rubber bullet · flash-bang · Taser
bomb, neutral, bombard, neutron, bombastic, neutrino, neutrons, neutrinos