Nuclear Weapons and EM Rail Guns

Question 1

What is the primary difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?

Answer 1

Fission splits a heavy nucleus into smaller fragments, while fusion combines light nuclei into a heavier one.

Question 2

List the primary effects of a nuclear explosion in order of their contribution.

Answer 2

1) Blast & Shockwave (50%), 2) Thermal Radiation (35%), 3) Nuclear Radiation (15%), 4) Other effects (EMP, flash).

Question 3

What are the classifications of nuclear weapons based on their yield and purpose?

Answer 3

Tactical (<100 kT, for personnel targets), Strategic (>100 kT, for vast area targets), Weapons of Terror (any yield, unpredictable use).

Question 4

What treaty promotes nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful nuclear energy?

Answer 4

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Question 5

What are the effects of exposure to 600-1,000 REM of radiation?

Answer 5

Death within 10 days.

Question 6

What is the main advantage of an electromagnetic rail gun over traditional artillery?

Answer 6

It uses electromagnetism to launch projectiles at high velocity without explosives.

Question 7

What is the approximate energy delivered by a rail gun round?

Answer 7

32 Megajoules (MJ).