nuclear weapons
Fission-powered destructive devices
Nuclear weapons are explosive devices that release energy through atomic reactions—either fission (splitting heavy atoms) or fusion (combining light atoms).
They represent the most destructive armaments ever created, capable of obliterating cities and producing lasting radioactive contamination.
The category includes atomic bombs, hydrogen bombs, and warheads mounted on missiles.
Since their use against Japan in 1945, nuclear weapons have shaped global politics through the doctrine of mutually assured destruction: Both superpowers maintained nuclear arsenals as deterrents.
Thermonuclear fusion weapon
- atomic bombFission-triggered mass destruction device
- neutron bombWarhead maximizing radiation output
- thermonuclearInvolving nuclear fusion heat
- dirty bombExplosive spreading radioactive contamination
suitcase nuke · warhead · H-bomb · Fat Man · Little Boy · Tsar Bomba · bunker buster · gravity bomb
Energy propagation through space
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- radioactive decayUnstable atoms releasing energy
- cesium-137Radioactive fission byproduct
- strontium-90Radioactive isotope from fission
iodine-131 · gamma rays · Geiger counter · exclusion zone · decontamination · radiation sickness · thyroid cancer · leukemia
Reciprocal annihilation prevents war
- MADMutual annihilation doctrine
- cold warHostility without open fighting
- brinkmanshipPushing conflicts to disaster's threshold
- second strikeResponse to initial attack
first strike · arms race · balance of power · escalation · superpower · doctrine · dead hand · tripwire
Ocean-spanning nuclear delivery system
- missilesSelf-propelled guided weapons
- warheadsExplosive missile components
- bombersAircraft designed for airstrikes
- submarinesUnderwater naval vessels
ballistic · intercontinental · silos · launchers · cruise missiles · triad · strategic · tactical
Area affected by explosion
- fireballLuminous meteor or explosion
- shockwavePropagating pressure disturbance
- mushroom cloudDistinctive nuclear blast formation
- ground zeroExplosion's central impact point
airburst · overpressure · flash burn · vaporization · devastation · annihilation · Hiroshima · Nagasaki
Nuclear breakup releasing energy
- fusionJoining into unity
- plutoniumActinide, atomic number 94
- uraniumElement ninety-two
- enrichmentImprovement through addition
chain reaction · critical mass · isotopes · neutrons · radioactivity · thermonuclear · half-life · heavy water
Restricting weapons dissemination
- IAEAU.N. atomic oversight body
- disarmamentReducing or eliminating weapons
- sanctionsPunitive international restrictions
- arms controlRegulating weapons between nations
safeguards · verification · inspection · moratorium · treaty · export controls · dual-use · rogue states
hydrogen bomb
Thermonuclear fusion weapon
- atomic bombFission-triggered mass destruction device
- neutron bombWarhead maximizing radiation output
- thermonuclearInvolving nuclear fusion heat
dirty bomb · suitcase nuke · warhead · H-bomb · Fat Man · Little Boy · Tsar Bomba · bunker buster · gravity bomb
radiation
Energy propagation through space
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- radioactive decayUnstable atoms releasing energy
- cesium-137Radioactive fission byproduct
strontium-90 · iodine-131 · gamma rays · Geiger counter · exclusion zone · decontamination · radiation sickness · thyroid cancer · leukemia · fallout shelter
mutual assured destruction
Reciprocal annihilation prevents war
- MADMutual annihilation doctrine
- cold warHostility without open fighting
- brinkmanshipPushing conflicts to disaster's threshold
second strike · first strike · arms race · balance of power · escalation · superpower · doctrine · dead hand · tripwire · credibility
ICBM
Ocean-spanning nuclear delivery system
- missilesSelf-propelled guided weapons
- warheadsExplosive missile components
- bombersAircraft designed for airstrikes
submarines · ballistic · intercontinental · silos · launchers · cruise missiles · triad · strategic · tactical · payload
blast radius
Area affected by explosion
- fireballLuminous meteor or explosion
- shockwavePropagating pressure disturbance
- mushroom cloudDistinctive nuclear blast formation
ground zero · airburst · overpressure · flash burn · vaporization · devastation · annihilation · Hiroshima · Nagasaki · crater
fission
Nuclear breakup releasing energy
enrichment · chain reaction · critical mass · isotopes · neutrons · radioactivity · thermonuclear · half-life · heavy water · centrifuge
nonproliferation
Restricting weapons dissemination
- IAEAU.N. atomic oversight body
- disarmamentReducing or eliminating weapons
- sanctionsPunitive international restrictions
arms control · safeguards · verification · inspection · moratorium · treaty · export controls · dual-use · rogue states · Manhattan Project
- KoreaSeoul, Korea, Busan, Incheon, South Korea
- Military Powerarmy, navy, air force, marines, troops
- U.S. MilitaryArmy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Pentagon
- Energy Departmentenergy policy, energy research, energy security, national labs, Los Alamos
- military technologymissiles, drones, radar systems, stealth technology, guided missiles
- Munitionsbombs, missiles, bullets, ordnance, warheads
nuclear weaponsconventional weapons
Non-WMD military equipment
conventional arms · small arms · rifles · handguns · swords
nuclear weaponsconventional forces
Traditional armed units
infantry · ground troops · tactical weapons · surgical strikes · guerrilla warfare
nuclear weaponsdisarmament
Reducing or eliminating weapons
nuclear disarmament · denuclearization · peace treaties · diplomacy · arms control
weapon, nuclear, nucleus, weaponry, nucleic, nucleate, nuclide, antinuclear, nucleated