Effects of nuclear weapons

MAR 01, 1983

An understanding of the technical details—thermal radiation, shock or blast wave, nuclear radiation—makes for more effective participation in the debate.

DOI: 10.1063/1.2915533

Leo Sartori

The intensity of public debate on issues involving nuclear weapons and strategic policy is currently at an all‐time high. This is surely a welcome development. Although the issues are largely political, they cannot be addressed without some knowledge of the properties of nuclear weapons and of the destruction that their use could bring about It is our particular responsibility as technically trained citizens to be informed of the basic facts concerning nuclear weapons and to help our fellow citizens understand them so that they can contribute more effectively to the debate It is my hope that this article—a presentation of the fundamental principles governing nuclear explosions and their effects—will be useful to those interested in carrying out this responsibility for education on nuclear war.

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References

1. S. Glasstone, P. J. Dolan, The Effects of Nuclear Weapons, third edition, US Departments of Defense and Energy, Washington, DC (1977). Available from US Government Printing Office.
2. The Effects of Nuclear War, US Office of Technology Assessment, Washington, DC (1979).
3. H. L. Brode, Ann. Rev. Nuc. Sci. 18, 153 (1968).https://doi.org/ARNUA8
4. B. W. Bennett, How to Assess the Survivability of US ICBMs, Rand Corp. Reports R‐2577‐FF and R‐2578‐FF (Appendices), Santa Monica, Calif. (1980).
5. The Effects of Nuclear War, US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, Office of Operations Analysis, Washington, DC (1979).
6. H. Abrams, W. von Kaenel, New England Journal of Medicine 305, 1226 (1981).https://doi.org/NEJMAG
7. National Academy of Sciences, Long‐Term Worldwide Effects of Multiple Nuclear‐Weapons Detonations, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC (1975). Available from the Committee to Study Long‐term Worldwide Effects of Multiple Nuclear‐Weapons Detonations, National Research Council, 2101 Constitution Avenue, Washington DC 20418.
8. P. J. Crutzen, J. W. Birks, Ambio 11, No. 2–3 (1982).

More about the authors

Leo Sartori, University of Nebraska, Lincoln.