Nuclear Terms Glossary
Clear definitions and historical context for essential nuclear weapons terminology, focusing on educational understanding and humanitarian impact.
Featured Topics
Essential nuclear concepts providing comprehensive overviews and foundational knowledge
Fission
FeaturedNuclear fission is a nuclear reaction where the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing enormous amounts of energy.
Fusion
FeaturedNuclear fusion is the process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a single heavier nucleus while releasing massive amounts of energy.
Nuclear Deterrence
FeaturedNuclear deterrence is the strategy of preventing enemy attack by maintaining the credible threat of devastating nuclear retaliation.
Nuclear Fallout
FeaturedNuclear fallout is residual radioactive material created by nuclear explosions that 'falls out' of the radioactive cloud as deadly particles.
Nuclear Weapons
FeaturedComprehensive guide to nuclear weapons including types, effects, physics, and global arsenals - everything you need to know about atomic and hydrogen bombs
Nuclear Winter
FeaturedNuclear winter describes the global climatic catastrophe that would follow large-scale nuclear war, where smoke and debris from burning cities would block su...
Yield
FeaturedNuclear yield measures a weapon's explosive power in TNT equivalent, typically expressed in kilotons (thousands of tons of TNT) or megatons (millions of tons).
Delivery
First Strike
A nuclear first strike is a preemptive attack designed to destroy an enemy's nuclear weapons before they can be used in retaliation.
ICBM
An Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) is a long-range missile capable of delivering nuclear warheads across distances exceeding 5,500 kilometers.
Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse
Nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a burst of electromagnetic radiation from nuclear explosions that can damage or destroy electronic systems across vast areas...
Nuclear Triad
The nuclear triad consists of three distinct nuclear weapon delivery systems: land-based ICBMs, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and strategic ...
Tactical Nuclear Weapons
Tactical nuclear weapons are smaller, shorter-range nuclear weapons designed for battlefield use rather than strategic targets.
Effects
Blast Effects
Understanding the devastating pressure waves and physical destruction caused by nuclear explosions
Electromagnetic Pulse
Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a burst of electromagnetic energy produced by nuclear explosions that can disable or destroy electronic devices across vast ar...
Ground Zero
Ground zero is the point on Earth's surface directly below or at a nuclear detonation.
Radiation Sickness
Acute illness caused by exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation in a short period
Thermal Radiation
The intense heat and light energy released by nuclear explosions that causes burns and fires
Physics
Alpha Decay
Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay where an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (helium-4 nucleus) and transforms into a different element.
Binding Energy
Binding energy is the energy required to completely separate all nucleons (protons and neutrons) in an atomic nucleus.
Half-Life
Half-life is the time required for half of a radioactive substance to decay into other elements.
Neutron Cross Section
Neutron cross section is a measure of the probability that a neutron will interact with an atomic nucleus.
Power
ALARA Principle
ALARA stands for 'As Low As Reasonably Achievable' and is the fundamental principle of radiation protection.
Boiling Water Reactor
The Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) is the second most common type of nuclear reactor, representing about 20% of the world's nuclear power plants.
Containment
Nuclear containment is a critical safety system designed to prevent the release of radioactive materials to the environment during normal operation and accid...
Control Rods
Control rods are neutron-absorbing devices used to control the rate of nuclear fission in reactors and to shut down reactors safely.
Coolant
Nuclear reactor coolant is a fluid that removes heat from the reactor core and transfers it to the power conversion system.
Defense in Depth
Defense in depth is a fundamental safety philosophy used in nuclear facilities that employs multiple independent layers of protection to prevent accidents and mitigate consequences.
Generation IV Reactors
Generation IV reactors represent the next evolution in nuclear power technology, designed to meet ambitious goals for sustainability, safety, proliferation r...
Moderator
A moderator is a material used in nuclear reactors to slow down (thermalize) fast neutrons produced by fission, making them more likely to cause additional f...
Pressurized Water Reactor
The Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) is the most common type of nuclear reactor worldwide, accounting for about 65% of all nuclear power plants.
SCRAM
SCRAM is the emergency shutdown system for nuclear reactors, designed to rapidly insert control rods and shut down the nuclear chain reaction.
Small Modular Reactors
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors with power outputs typically less than 300 MWe, designed for factory fabrication and modular depl...
Thorium Cycle
The thorium fuel cycle is an alternative nuclear fuel cycle that uses thorium-232 as fertile material to breed uranium-233, which serves as the fissile fuel.
Tokamak
A tokamak is a type of magnetic confinement fusion device designed to harness the energy of nuclear fusion reactions.
Strategy
Mutual Assured Destruction
Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) is the nuclear strategy where both superpowers maintain enough weapons to completely destroy each other, making nuclear war ...
Non-Proliferation Treaty
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is a 1968 international agreement designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons while promoting peaceful nucle...
START Treaty
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) represents the most successful nuclear disarmament effort in history.
Weapons
Critical Mass
Critical mass is the minimum amount of fissile material needed to sustain a nuclear chain reaction.
Enrichment
Uranium enrichment is the process of increasing the concentration of uranium-235, the fissile isotope needed for nuclear reactions.
Megaton
A megaton measures nuclear explosive yield equivalent to one million tons of TNT.
Nuclear Weapons Yield Comparison
A comprehensive comparison of nuclear weapon yields from conventional explosives to the most powerful thermonuclear weapons, illustrating the dramatic scale of nuclear destructive power...
Plutonium
Plutonium is a radioactive, man-made element that serves as the primary fissile material in nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors.
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42 comprehensive glossary entries across 6 categories