BLOCK 8: NUCLEAR ENTERPRISE - Unit 7: Nuclear Weapons Hazards (complete)

Question 1

_______________ are the most destructive man-made force on Earth.

Answer 1

NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Question 2

The energy released in the detonation of a nuclear weapon.

Answer 2

NUCLEAR YIELD

Question 3

Nuclear yield is typically expressed in terms of _______________.

Answer 3

Kilotons (1,000 tons) of trinitrotoluene (TNT).

A one megaton (MT) nuclear detonation releases the same amount of energy as one million tons of TNT.

Question 4

A typical nuclear detonation will produce __________, __________, and __________ radiation.

Answer 4

BLAST, THERMAL, AND NUCLEAR

A typical fission-type device has results of approximately 50 percent blast effects, whether it is the air blast or the ground shockwave. In addition, 35 percent of the energy produced results in thermal effects of both heat and light. The remaining 15 percent of energy is emitted in the form of nuclear radiation.

Question 5

__________ hazards comprise 50 percent of the energy released from a nuclear detonation.

Answer 5

BLAST HAZARDS

Question 6

The nearest point on the Earth’s surface where the detonation occurred.

Answer 6

GROUND ZERO

Question 7

Following a nuclear detonation, alpha and beta particles travel a relatively __________ distance away from ground zero.

Answer 7

SHORT

These particles can be combined with nuclear fallout and create radiation hazards great distances away from ground zero.

Question 8

Neutrons are created solely from a nuclear __________ event.

Answer 8

NUCLEAR FISSION EVENT

Therefore, neutron radiation is created in the fraction of a second after a nuclear detonation. After this initial release, there is no significant production of neutrons.

Question 9

The radiation emitted within one minute of explosion.

Answer 9

INITIAL RADIATION

Question 10

Radiation emitted from the nuclei during radioactive material decay.

Answer 10

RESIDUAL RADIATION

Question 11

What are the two primary categories of residual radiation?

Answer 11

INDUCED RADIATION and FALLOUT

Question 12

Relates specifically to the ability of neutron radiation to actually irradiate other materials. These materials (such as soil, rock, and manufactured products) absorb a fission neutron and become radioactive, emitting gamma radiation.

Answer 12

INDUCED RADIATION

For NUDETs, this induced radiation is typically only a concern immediately around ground zero and remains hazardous for five to seven days.

Question 13

Another type of induced radiation is the production of ______________. This occurs when nitrogen in the air absorbs fission neutrons and decays to carbon. This type of induced radiation is more of a concern because of the lengthy half-life.

Answer 13

CARBON-14

Question 14

The release of small radioactive particles that drop from the fireball to the ground. In common terms, this is a combination of the induced radiation above and other nuclear materials from the weapon itself.

Answer 14

NUCLEAR FALLOUT

The induced radiation would be in the form of soil, rocks, and any other debris sucked up in the fireball. No nuclear weapon has 100 percent yield, so some of the remaining fissile material will fall to the Earth as fallout.

Question 15

Electromagnetic radiation in the visible light spectrum that can be sensed as heat and light.

Answer 15

THERMAL RADIATION

Thermal radiation can ignite wood frame buildings and other combustible materials at great distances from ground zero. The thermal radiation can also cause significant skin burns, either directly or indirectly.

Question 16

It is our job as BE personnel to ensure we account for any and all hazards at an incident site and maintain the _______________ approach, ensuring response personnel are safe and protected.

Answer 16

ALL HAZARDS APPROACH