ECH 3320 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Uranium Hexafluoride, Mutual Assured Destruction, Dirty Bomb

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Conflict Studies and Human Rights
• Course: ECH 3320
• Professor: Paul Robinson

Document Summary

Ech3320 weapons of mass destruction (nov 24th lecture) #"s reflect the number of protons and neutrons in an atom. U-235 created by uranium enrichment from u-238. 238 is more common, 98% of bombs are made from this. Enrichment to about 90% u-235 for a bomb. Power of between 1 and 500,000 kilotons. Uses deuterium and tritium, fusing to form helium. Requires a lot of energy to start and therefore involves a fission bomb. Dirty bomb involves spreading radio-active material using a conventional explosive. Bomb is used to spread the material likely damage is small. Nuclear strategy tactical uses counter force (bombing enemy forces) Strategic uses counter value (bombing enemy cities) *seabed, outer space, antarctica no weapons can be put in these places. Salt 1&2 (strategic arms imitation treaties) limit # of ballistic missiles. Inf (intermediate nuclear forces agreement) medium missiles, not intercontinental. Not all bw (ex: anthrax, are infectious) Difficult to produce in a deliverable form.