question

Anti-Ballistic Missile or National Missile Defense (ABM or NMD)

answer

A system with the ability to destroy enemy missiles or their warheads before they hit their targets. This is usually presented as a "defensive" capability, but it is worth noting that this is a counterforce capability

question

Atom

answer

A particle of matter indivisible by chemical means. It is the fundamental building block of elements.

question

CANDU

answer

Canadian heavy-water-moderated pressure tube natural uranium reactor. The name is made up of: "CAN" for Canada, "D" for the technical term deuterium oxide i.e. heavy water, and "U" for the uranium fuel.

question

Counterforce Targeting

answer

A targeting doctrine designed to destroy the enemy's nuclear forces. The objective is to limit the enemy's ability to harm your population. The danger is that this may undermine deterrence. It is usually correlated to NUTS

question

Countervalue Targeting

answer

A targeting doctrine which is focused on destroying those things you assume your adversary values the most. These usually include population, economic, and cultural centers. It is correlated to MAD and has the goal of making nuclear war "unthinkable."

question

Critical Mass

answer

The minimum amount of fissile material needed to achieve a chain fission reaction. It takes less plutonium that uranium to achieve critical mass. The IAEA calls 25 kg of HEU and 8 kg of plutonium "significant quantities." Unclassified U.S. government documents indicate that as little as 4 kg of plutonium could produce a bomb. Non-government sources claim that a sophisticated design could produce a 1 kiloton bomb with as little as 1-2 kg of plutonium and 8-10 kg of uranium.

question

Deterrence

answer

The ability to create fear in the minds of potential adversaries that will prevent them from attacking. The objective is to deter.

question

Dirty Bomb

answer

One type of a radiological dispersal device (RDD) that combines conventional explosives, such as dynamite, with radioactive material. Weapon of Mass Disruption.

question

Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU)

answer

Uranium that is 20% U235 or higher. This is the level the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) has set for requiring monitoring. This level was selected because the amount of time and energy needed to go from 20% to levels practical for constructing weapons is far less than that required to get to 20%. It is theoretically possible to build a crude, inefficient weapon with 20% enriched uranium.

question

First Strike Capability

answer

The belief that a nation has the ability to launch a nuclear attack and disarm an adversary so quickly and so completely that the adversary's retaliation would be so limited as to be acceptable to the attacker. Deterrence was no longer in effect. Generally correlated to counterforce targeting.

question

Fission

answer

Nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei. This results in the release of massive amounts of energy in both thermal and non-thermal forms. It also produces so-called "fission products." These may include neutrons and the nuclei of other elements - some of which occur almost solely as a result of fission. The most common fission associated with nuclear weapons and nuclear power involves the collision of uranium-235 and plutonium-239 with neutrons.

question

Flexible Response

answer

A strategy or doctrine whereby a nation plans to respond to an attack with a level of response appropriate to the level of that attack. This has usually assumed that nuclear weapons might be one of the defender's options.

question

Fusion

answer

The formation of a heavy nucleus from lighter nuclei, thereby releasing energy - the binding energy. A deuterium-tritium reaction is the easiest to realize among all possible fusion reactions. Deuterium is available in sufficient quantity in the oceans of the world, while tritium can be "bred" from the element lithium, which is also available in abundance. This requires neutrons and the heat generated during a fission reaction.

question

Hydrogen Bomb

answer

The nuclear weapon that uses the energy released by nuclear fusion reaction. An atomic (fission) bomb is used to fire the hydrogen bomb, i.e. to reach the temperature required for fusion. The explosive force of a hydrogen or "thermonuclear" bomb far surpasses that of atomic bombs. The destruction potential can be the equivalent of several megatons of TNT. The first hydrogen bomb was detonated on the Bikini Atoll on 1 March 1954.

question

International Atomic Energy Agency

answer

Agency created in 1954 within the United Nations to create and apply international safeguards consistent with promoting the peaceful uses of atomic energy, while simultaneously preventing new nations from making nuclear weapons. The IAEA has issued internationally agreed radiation protection standards based on the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). It monitors nations as regards their compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

question

Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)

answer

This is a ballistic missile with a range of at least 3,400 miles. These are typically based in underground silos and may carry single or multiple warheads.

question

Multiple Re-entry Vehicles and Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MRV and MIRV)

answer

The former are multple warheads on a single missile launch vehicle which can hit multiple targets in close proximity to one another. The latter type has the ability to hit targets that are farther apart and which require independent targeting guidance.

question

Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD)

answer

A nuclear strategy or doctrine based on the premise that the best way to avoid nuclear war is to guarantee that both sides have the ability to destroy the other. It also assumes that the only use for nuclear weapons is to deter their use by making nuclear war "unthinkable"

question

Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

answer

An international treaty ratified in 1970 in which signatory nations agreed to submit to international safeguards (administered by the IAEA) to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

question

Nuclear Utilization Targeting Selection (NUTS)

answer

A nuclear strategy or doctrine that rejects MAD as simplistic and maintains that nuclear weapons have military utility beyond simple deterrence. NUTS can encompass a variety of assumptions and strategies ranging from pre-emptive nuclear strikes to extended deterrence and flexible response

question

Second Strike Capability

answer

The belief that a nation has the retaliatory ability to inflict unacceptable damage on a potential adversary even under a "worst case scenario" first strike. This is the foundation of MAD.

question

Strategic Bomber

answer

Manned aircraft designed to deliver nuclear weapons. These are long range bombers that can fly thousands of miles. They can extend their range even farther by air-to-air refueling. They may be armed with gravity bombs and air to ground missiles.

question

Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile

answer

This ballistic missile which can be launched from a submerged submarine. Current variants have ranges in excess of 4,000 miles. Like ICBMs, they may carry single or multiple warheads.

question

Terrorism

answer

The intentional and calculated use of terror to achieve political objectives.

question

Triad

answer

The development and deployment of three types of delivery systems for strategic nuclear weapons - manned bombers, ICBMs, and SLBMs. This assures redundancy and increased credibility as all three systems possess complementary capabilities.

question

Electromagnetic Isotope Separation

answer

Using a mass spectrometer, a stream of charged particles are sent through a magnetic field. Lighter Isotopes (U-235) are deflected more by the magnetic field, thus separating the U-235 and U-238. US stopped using the method in the 1950's. Iraq used it in the 1980s.

question

Gaseous Diffusion

answer

Uranium hexafluoride is forced through a porous barrier. Different qualities of isotopes are separated as they pass through gaps of various sizes. Primary method after WWII through the Cold War. 1/3 of all enriched uranium was processed this way.

question

Gas Centrifuge

answer

Uranium hexafluoride is swirled in a cylinder at a very high speed. Weight differences separate the isotopes. Gas centrifuge techniques produce about 54% of enriched uranium.

question

Zippe Centrifuge

answer

Improvement on the Gas Centrifuge. Uses heat in addition to the centrifuge method. Forces U235 up the cylinder where it is collected. Apparently used by Pakistan.

question

Laser Separation

answer

Promises lower energy inputs, lower capital costs, and lower tails assays. If practical, there will be significant economic advantages. Currently in development. Iran and South Korea seem to be working on this process.

question

Aerodynamic Enrichment Process

answer

Diffusion driven by pressure gradients. Many regard it as a form of non-rotating centrifuge. South Africa appears to have used this method.

question

Chemical Processes

answer

Been done in France but not commercially. Exploits a slight difference in the two uranium isotopes to change valence in oxidation/reduction.

question

Plasma Separation Process (PSP)

answer

Uses superconducting magnets and plasma physics. Ion cyclotron resonance is used to selectively energize the U235 isotopes in plasma containing a mix of ions.

question

1985 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Wilhelm Roentgen (German) discovered X-Rays

question

1897 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

JJ Thomson (British) discovered the electron

question

1898 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Marie Curie (France) discovers radioactive elements radium and polonium

question

1899 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Ernest Rutherford (Canada) 2 kinds of rays emitting from radium, calls them alpha and beta rays

question

1900 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Frederick Soddy (Britain) Spontaneous disintegration of radioactive elements into variants, calls them isotopes

question

1901 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Rutherford and Soddy publish theory of radioactive decay

question

1905 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Einstein (US immigrant) writes special theory of relativity. Unified mass, energy, magnetism, electricity and light.

question

1911 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Rutherford (Britain) discovers nucleus of the atom

question

1913 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Niels Bohr (Denmark) publishes theory of atomic structure, combining nuclear theory with quantum theory

question

1915 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Einstein (US immigrant) publishes general theory of relativity. Gravity, as well as motion, could affect the intervals of time and space.

question

1919 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Rutherford (Britain) bombarded nitrogen gas with alpha rays. Transmutation of nitrogen into oxygen, first artificially induced nuclear reaction.

question

1925 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Heisenberg, Born (Germany) & Schrodinger (Austria) formulated quantum mechanics.

question

1927 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Blumgart (US) uses radioactive tracers to diagnose heart disease.

question

1929a (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Lawrence (US) conceives the cyclotron, used to produce high-energy beams for nuclear experiments.

question

1929b (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Crockcroft & Walton (UK) develop high-voltage apparatus for accelerating protons, called a linear accelerator

question

1929c (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Atkinson & Houtermans investigate nuclear fusion as a source of stellar radiation

question

1930 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Eddington (UK) suggests that the radiation coming from stars originates from lighter constituents building up heavier nuclei (Fusion)

question

1932a (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Chadwick (UK) discovers neutron and studies deuterium

question

1932b (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Crockcroft & Walton (UK) split the atom with protons accelerated by their linear accelerator

question

1932c (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Heisenberg (Germany) awarded Nobel Prize for the creation of quantum mechanics

question

1933 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Szilard conceives the concept of the nuclear chain reaction

question

1934 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Fermi (US immigrant) irradiated uranium with neutrons. Didn't realize he split the atom, achieving the first nuclear fission

question

1938, December (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Hahn & Strassman (Germany) detect barium after bombarding uranium with neutrons. Meitner and Frisch identify this as nuclear fission

question

1939, January (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Frisch experimentally confirms Hahn and Strassman's discovery of nuclear fission

question

1939, April (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Nazi Germany begins a nuclear energy project

question

1939, October (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

President FDR receives Einstein-Szilard letter and authorized the Advisory Committee on Uranium

question

1940, April (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Military Application of Uranium Detonation (MAUD) Committee established to investigate bomb feasibility

question

1941, February (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Seaborg & Wahl discover plutonium

question

1941, October (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

FDR receives the MAUD report and approves a project to confirm the MAUD's findings

question

1941, December (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, US enters WWII

question

1942, April (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Stalin becomes aware of the efforts to develop nuclear weapons. Starts a Soviet nuclear weapons program.

question

1942, July (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

The HWA relinquishes control of the German nuclear project to the RFR, making it a research project. Not a weaponry project.

question

1942, July-September (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Oppenheimer hosts a conference to discuss the design of a fission bomb. Teller introduces the hydrogen bomb concept.

question

1942, August-November (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Manhattan Project established under Gen. Groves. Site X - Oak Ridge. Site Y - Los Alamos.

question

1943, March (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Japanese Committee of Research in the Application of Nuclear Physics concludes the bomb was feasible but unlikely to be produced during the war.

question

1943, April (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Intro lectures began at Low Alamos

question

1943, August (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Quebec Agreement signed by FDR and Churchill. British scientists join the Manhattan Project.

question

1944, April (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Segre discovers the spontaneous fission rate of plutonium is too high to be used in a gun-type weapon. Focus changed to implosion type.

question

1945, May (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Nazi Germany surrenders to Allied powers. End of WWII in Europe

question

1945, July 16 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

First nuclear explosion in New Mexico. Implosion style known as gadget

question

1945, August 6 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

"Little Boy", a gun-type uranium-235 weapon, was dropped on Hiroshima

question

1945, August 8 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

USSR declared war on Japan

question

1945, August 9 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

"Fat Man", implosion-type plutonium-239 weapon, was dropped on Nagasaki

question

1945, August (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Smyth Report published, details the efforts of the Manhattan Project

question

1945, August 15 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Japan surrenders to the Allied Powers

question

1946, January (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Atomic Energy Act of 1946 takes effect, transfers the Manhattan Project to the US Atomic Energy Commission.

question

1946, June (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

1st meeting of the UN Atomic Energy Commission

question

1946 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

Societ Union rejected the Baruch Plan

question

1949, August 29 (History of Nuclear Physics)

answer

USSR conducts its 1st atomic test

History of Nuclear Physics and Glossary – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Search for samples, answers to your questions and flashcards