With the use of atomic energy, mankind began to develop nuclear weapons. It has a number of features and environmental impacts. There are different degrees of damage with nuclear weapons.
In order to develop the correct behavior in the event of such a threat, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of the development of the situation after the explosion. Characteristics of nuclear weapons, their types and damaging factors will be discussed further.
General definition
In the lessons on the subject of the basics of life safety (OBZH), one of the areas of study is to consider the features of nuclear, chemical, bacteriological weapons and their characteristics. The patterns of occurrence of such hazards, their manifestation and methods of protection are also studied. This, in theory, allows to reduce the number of human casu alties when hit by weapons of mass destruction.
A nuclear weapon is an explosive type, the action of which is based on the energy of chain fission of heavy nuclei of isotopes. Alsodestructive force can appear during thermonuclear fusion. These two types of weapons differ in their power of action. Fission reactions with one mass will be 5 times weaker than in thermonuclear reactions.
The first nuclear bomb was developed in the US in 1945. The first strike with this weapon was made on 1945-05-08. A bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima in Japan.
In the USSR, the first nuclear bomb was developed in 1949. It was blown up in Kazakhstan, outside the settlements. In 1953, the USSR conducted tests of the hydrogen bomb. This weapon was 20 times more powerful than the one dropped on Hiroshima. The size of these bombs was the same.
The characterization of nuclear weapons on OBZh is being considered in order to determine the consequences and ways to survive a nuclear attack. The correct behavior of the population in such a defeat can save more human lives. The conditions that develop after the explosion depend on where it occurred, what power it had.
Nuclear weapons are several times more powerful and destructive than conventional aerial bombs. If it is used against enemy troops, the defeat is extensive. At the same time, huge human losses are observed, equipment, structures and other objects are being destroyed.
Features
Considering a brief description of nuclear weapons, one should list their main types. They can contain energy of different origin. Nuclear weapons include ammunition, their carriers (deliver ammunition to the target), as well as equipment for controllingexplosion.
Ammunition can be nuclear (based on atomic fission reactions), thermonuclear (based on fusion reactions), and also combined. To measure the power of a weapon, the TNT equivalent is used. This value characterizes its mass, which would be needed to create an explosion of similar power. The TNT equivalent is measured in tons, as well as megatons (Mt) or kilotons (kt).
The power of ammunition, the action of which is based on the reactions of fission of atoms, can be up to 100 kt. If fusion reactions were used in the manufacture of weapons, it can have a power of 100-1000 kt (up to 1 Mt).
Ammo size
The greatest destructive force can be achieved using combined technologies. The characteristics of nuclear weapons of this group are characterized by the development according to the scheme "fission → fusion → fission". Their power can exceed 1 Mt. In accordance with this indicator, the following groups of weapons are distinguished:
- Super small.
- Small.
- Average.
- Large.
- Extra large.
Considering a brief description of nuclear weapons, it should be noted that the purposes of their use may be different. There are nuclear bombs that create underground (underwater), ground, air (up to 10 km) and high- altitude (more than 10 km) explosions. The scale of destruction and consequences depend on this characteristic. In this case, lesions can be caused by various factors. After the explosion, several types are formed.
Types of explosions
Definition and characterization of nuclear weapons allows us to draw a conclusion about the general principle of their operation. Where the bomb was detonated will determine the consequences.
Air nuclear explosion occurs at a distance of 10 km above the ground. At the same time, its luminous area does not come into contact with the earth or water surface. The dust column is separated from the explosion cloud. The resulting cloud moves with the wind, gradually dissipates. This type of explosion can cause significant damage to the army, destroy buildings, destroy aircraft.
A high- altitude type explosion looks like a spherical luminous area. Its size will be larger than when using the same bomb on the ground. After the explosion, the spherical region turns into an annular cloud. At the same time, there is no dust column and cloud. If an explosion occurs in the ionosphere, it will subsequently extinguish radio signals and disrupt the operation of radio equipment. Radiation contamination of ground areas is practically not observed. This type of explosion is used to destroy enemy aircraft or space equipment.
The characteristics of nuclear weapons and the focus of nuclear destruction in a ground explosion differs from the previous two types of explosions. In this case, the luminous area is in contact with the ground. A crater forms at the site of the explosion. A large cloud of dust forms. It involves a large amount of soil. Radioactive products fall out of the cloud along with the earth. The radioactive contamination of the area will be large. With the help of such an explosion,fortified objects, the troops that are in shelters are destroyed. Surrounding areas are heavily contaminated with radiation.
The explosion could also be underground. The luminous area may not be observed. Ground vibrations after an explosion are similar to an earthquake. A funnel is formed. A column of soil with radiation particles rises into the air and spreads over the area.
Also, the explosion can be made above or below water. In this case, instead of soil, water vapor escapes into the air. They carry radiation particles. Infection of the area in this case will also be strong.
Affecting factors
Characteristics of nuclear weapons and the source of nuclear destruction is determined with the help of various damaging factors. They can have different effects on objects. After the explosion, the following effects can be observed:
- Contamination of the ground part with radiation.
- Shockwave.
- Electromagnetic pulse (EMP).
- Penetrating radiation.
- Light emission.
One of the most dangerous damaging factors is the shock wave. She has a huge energy reserve. The defeat causes both a direct blow and indirect factors. They, for example, can be flying fragments, objects, stones, soil, etc.
Light radiation appears in the optical range. It includes ultraviolet, visible and infrared rays of the spectrum. The main damaging effects of light radiation are high temperature andblinding.
Penetrating radiation is a stream of neutrons as well as gamma rays. In this case, living organisms receive a high dose of radiation, radiation sickness may occur.
A nuclear explosion is also accompanied by electric fields. The impulse propagates over long distances. It disables communication lines, equipment, power supply, radio communications. In this case, the equipment may even ignite. Electric shock to persons may occur.
Considering nuclear weapons, their types and characteristics, one more damaging factor should also be mentioned. This is the damaging effect of radiation on the ground. This type of factors is typical for fission reactions. In this case, most often the bomb is detonated low in the air, on the surface of the earth, under the ground and on the water. In this case, the area is heavily contaminated by falling particles of soil or water. The infection process can take up to 1.5 days.
Shockwave
The characteristics of the shock wave of a nuclear weapon are determined by the area in which the explosion occurred. It can be underwater, aerial, seismic explosive and differs in a number of parameters depending on the type.
Air blast wave is an area in which the air is rapidly compressed. The shock propagates faster than the speed of sound. It strikes people, equipment, buildings, weapons at great distances from the epicenter of the explosion.
A ground blast wave loses some of its energy to ground shaking, cratering and evaporationearth. To destroy the fortifications of military units, a ground bomb is used. Lightly fortified residential structures are more destroyed by an air explosion.
Considering briefly the characteristics of the damaging factors of nuclear weapons, it should be noted the severity of damage in the shock wave zone. The most severe fatal consequences occur in the area where the pressure is 1 kgf / cm². Moderate lesions are observed in the pressure zone of 0.4-0.5 kgf/cm². If the shock wave has a power of 0.2-0.4 kgf / cm², the damage is small.
At the same time, much less damage is caused to personnel if people were in a prone position at the time of exposure to the shock wave. Even less affected are people in trenches and trenches. A good level of protection in this case is possessed by enclosed spaces that are located underground. Properly designed engineering structures can protect personnel from being hit by a shock wave.
Military equipment also breaks down. With a small pressure, slight compression of the rocket bodies can be observed. Also, some of their devices, cars, other vehicles and similar equipment fail.
Light emission
Considering the general characteristics of nuclear weapons, one should consider such a damaging factor as light radiation. It appears in the optical range. Light radiation propagates in space due to the appearance of a luminous regionin a nuclear explosion.
The temperature of light radiation can reach millions of degrees. This damaging factor goes through three stages of development. They are calculated in tens of hundredths of a second.
A luminous cloud at the moment of explosion gains temperature up to millions of degrees. Then, in the process of its disappearance, the heating is reduced to thousands of degrees. In the initial stage, the energy is still not enough to generate a large level of heat. It occurs in the first phase of the explosion. 90% of the light energy is produced in the second period.
The time of exposure to light radiation is determined by the power of the explosion itself. If an ultra-small munition is detonated, this damaging factor may last only a few tenths of a second.
When the small projectile is activated, the light emission will last 1-2 seconds. The duration of this manifestation during the explosion of an average ammunition is 2-5 s. If a super-large bomb is used, the light pulse can last more than 10 seconds.
The striking ability in the presented category is determined by the light impulse of the explosion. It will be the greater, the higher the power of the bomb.
The damaging effect of light radiation is manifested by the appearance of burns on open and closed areas of the skin, mucous membranes. In this case, various materials and equipment may ignite.
The strength of the impact of a light pulse is weakened by clouds, various objects (buildings, forests). Damage to personnel can be caused by fires that occur after the explosion. To protect him from defeat, people are transferred to undergroundstructures. Military equipment is also stored here.
Reflectors are used on surface objects, combustible materials are moistened, sprinkled with snow, impregnated with fire-resistant compounds. Special protective kits are used.
Penetrating radiation
The concept of nuclear weapons, characteristics, damaging factors make it possible to take appropriate measures to prevent large human and technical losses in the event of an explosion.
Light radiation and shock wave are the main damaging factors. However, penetrating radiation has no less strong effect after the explosion. It spreads in the air up to 3 km.
Gamma rays and neutrons pass through living matter and contribute to the ionization of molecules and atoms of cells of various organisms. This leads to the development of radiation sickness. The source of this damaging factor is the processes of synthesis and fission of atoms, which are observed at the time of its application.
The power of this impact is measured in rads. The dose that affects living tissues is characterized by the type, power and type of nuclear explosion, as well as the distance of the object from the epicenter.
Studying the characteristics of nuclear weapons, methods of exposure and protection against it, one should consider in detail the degree of manifestation of radiation sickness. There are 4 degrees. In a mild form (first degree), the dose of radiation received by a person is 150-250 rad. The disease is cured within 2 months in a hospital.
Second degree occurs when the radiation dose is up to 400 rad. In this case, the composition changesblood, hair falls out. Requires active treatment. Recovery occurs after 2.5 months.
Severe (third) degree of the disease is manifested by exposure to 700 rad. If the treatment goes well, a person can recover after 8 months of inpatient treatment. Residual effects take much longer to appear.
In the fourth stage, the radiation dose is over 700 rad. A person dies in 5-12 days. If the radiation exceeds the limit of 5000 rad, the personnel die after a few minutes. If the body has been weakened, a person, even at low doses of radiation exposure, has a hard time enduring radiation sickness.
Protection against penetrating radiation can be special materials that contain different types of rays.
Electromagnetic pulse
When considering the characteristics of the main damaging factors of nuclear weapons, one should also study the features of the electromagnetic pulse. During the explosion, especially at high altitude, vast areas are created through which the radio signal cannot pass. They have been around for quite a short time.
In power lines, other conductors, this causes increased voltage. The appearance of this damaging factor is caused by the interaction of neutrons and gamma rays in the frontal part of the shock wave, as well as around this area. As a result, electric charges are separated, forming electromagnetic fields.
The action of a ground explosion of an electromagnetic pulse is determined at a distance of severalkilometers from the epicenter. If the bomb impacts at a distance of more than 10 km from the ground, an electromagnetic pulse can occur at a distance of 20-40 km from the surface.
The action of this damaging factor is directed to a greater extent on various radio equipment, equipment, electrical appliances. As a result, high voltages are formed in them. This leads to the destruction of the insulation of the conductors. Fire or electric shock may result. Various signaling, communication and control systems are most susceptible to manifestations of an electromagnetic pulse.
To protect equipment from the presented destructive factor, it will be necessary to shield all conductors, equipment, military devices, etc.
Characterization of the damaging factors of nuclear weapons allows you to take timely measures to prevent the destructive effects of various effects after the explosion.
Radioactive contamination of the area
Characterization of the damaging factors of nuclear weapons would be incomplete without a description of the impact of radioactive contamination of the area. It manifests itself both in the bowels of the earth and on its surface. Contamination affects the atmosphere, water resources and all other objects.
Radioactive particles fall on the ground from a cloud that is formed as a result of an explosion. It moves in a certain direction under the influence of the wind. At the same time, a high level of radiation can be determined not only in the immediate vicinity of the epicenter of the explosion. The infection can spread tens or even hundreds of kilometers.
The effect of thisdamaging factor can last for several decades. The greatest intensity of radiation contamination of the area can be with a ground explosion. Its area of distribution can significantly exceed the effect of a shock wave or other damaging factors.
Radioactive substances are odorless, colorless. Their rate of decay cannot be accelerated by any methods that are available to mankind today. With a ground type of explosion, a large amount of soil rises into the air, a funnel is formed. Then the particles of the earth with the products of radiation decay settle on the adjacent territories.
Zones of infection are determined by the intensity of the explosion, the power of radiation. Measurement of radiation on the ground is carried out a day after the explosion. This indicator is affected by the characteristics of nuclear weapons.
Knowing its characteristics, features and methods of protection, it is possible to prevent the destructive consequences of an explosion.
