Nuclear Weapons Week Two

What is the estimated number of nuclear weapons in the world today?

Approximately 13,355 nuclear weapons.

What catastrophic event can result from the use of nuclear weapons?

Nuclear winter due to radioactive fallout.

How many nations are currently recognized as Nuclear Weapons States under the NPT?

Five nations: US, Russia, UK, France, and China.

What is the main goal of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)?

To prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote nuclear disarmament.

Which countries are recognized as Non-Nuclear Weapons States (NNWS) in relation to the NPT?

191 states that pledged to never develop nuclear weapons.

What happened after the collapse of the Soviet Union regarding nuclear weapons?

Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine gave up their nuclear weapons.

Which states have acquired nuclear weapons outside the NPT framework?

India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel.

What are the key ingredients needed to make a nuclear bomb?

Uranium (U-235), Plutonium (Pu-239), and Uranium (U-233).

What major nuclear project was initiated to develop the atomic bomb during WWII?

The Manhattan Project.

What were the names of the two atomic bombs dropped on Japan?

Little Boy (Hiroshima) and Fat Man (Nagasaki).

What is the difference between fission bombs and fusion bombs?

Fission bombs generate energy by splitting atomic nuclei, while fusion bombs generate energy by fusing atomic nuclei.

What does MAD stand for in nuclear strategy?

Mutually Assured Destruction.

What was a major concern regarding nuclear weapons developed by states like North Korea and Iran?

The potential for nuclear weapons to fall into the hands of terrorist groups.

What is the primary consequence of nuclear testing conducted since 1945?

Serious health issues for humans and contamination of uninhabitable areas.

What kind of nuclear treaty was signed in 1966 but has not come into effect?

The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

What term is used for the treaty signed in September 2017 aimed at a nuclear-free world?

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

What percentage of global nuclear inventories does the US and Russia own?

Approximately 88%.

What year did South Africa dismantle its nuclear weapons?

In the 1990s.

What were the names of the British and Canadian programs involved in the Manhattan Project?

Tube Alloys.

What are some risks posed by nuclear energy technology?

Potential nuclear accidents and the risk of proliferation.

What strategy emphasizes the threat of nuclear retaliation?

Nuclear deterrence.

What was the main purpose of the B61-12 bomb?

To provide improved targeting effectiveness with guided standoff capability.

What notable event led to a reassessment of nuclear politics after the Cold War?

The collapse of the Soviet Union.

What is the estimated number of nuclear warheads possessed by the US in 2025?

Approximately 3,700 warheads.

Who are the scientists credited with creating the first atomic bomb?

J. Robert Oppenheimer and the team at the Manhattan Project.

What is the significance of the Atomic Energy Commission?

To oversee the development and regulation of atomic energy and nuclear weapons.

When did the United States first test a fusion weapon?

In 1952.

What is essential for a country to develop a nuclear weapon?

Access to fissile material, technical knowledge, and operational technology.

What happens if a state successfully develops nuclear weapons without international approval?

It is often met with international sanctions or military intervention.

What recent geopolitical shift has affected the perception of nuclear security?

The rise of new technologies blurring traditional nuclear strategy.