Changes: Atomic weapon

Revision as of 16:24, 17 March 2015

The detonation of an atomic bomb forming the characteristic mushroom cloud during the Time of Awakening on Vulcan

An atomic weapon (also known as an atomic bomb, A-bomb, nuclear weapon, or more commonly nuke or nuclear missile) was a term that generally described a device developed by Humans and other species that utilized the principles of either or both of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion to release massive destructive energies. A relatively low-yield atomic weapon could, for example, destroy a small city. The near-ground detonation of a nuclear weapon could produce a mushroom-shaped cloud and the subsequent radioactive contamination of the surrounding areas could cause radiation sickness and other health problems. Sufficient use of atomic weapons could also result in a sudden reduction in overall planetary temperatures due to particulate matter in the atmosphere, called a "nuclear winter". (TNG: "A Matter of Time"; VOY: "Dragon's Teeth", "Friendship One")

Many cultures have used atomic weapons. Vulcans developed and used nuclear weapons widely in the wars leadings up to the Time of Awakening around the year 350, devastating their civilization. (ENT: "Awakening") The Talosian society was effectively destroyed by the use of atomic weapons. (TOS: "The Cage") A jet plane from the United States of America on Earth that was sent to intercept the USS Enterprise in 1969 was thought by Spock to potentially have missiles armed with nuclear warheads. (TOS: "Tomorrow is Yesterday") The planet Ekos fired a thermonuclear missile at the USS Enterprise in 2268. (TOS: "Patterns of Force") Weapons considered by 23rd century Starfleet to be "atomic" (possibly atomic bombs) were used in the Earth-Romulan War. (TOS: "Balance of Terror") Troyian used nuclear side-arms. (TOS: "Elaan of Troyius")

It is unlikely Troyian side-arms were atomic bombs, but instead directed energy weapons based upon nuclear reactions.

Earth, especially, saw both development and use of atomic weapons. Combat usage was at first confined for over one hundred years to only two nuclear weapons used by the United States of America on Japan at the end of the Second World War, including the bomb, code-named, "Fat Man". Because of the weapon's destructive power, though, countless amounts of nuclear weapons were produced and tested (such as at Bikini Atoll) between 1945-1990, mostly by the US and the Soviet Union. (ENT: "Proving Ground") During this period, which became known as the Cold War, mankind was constantly on the brink of self-annihilation through, among other atomic weapon delivery systems, orbiting nuclear devices. (TOS: "Assignment: Earth"; ENT: "Carbon Creek")

Nuclear detonation — An detonation of a nuclear weapon in Nevada.

Terrans also developed atomic weapons in the mirror universe. (ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly" opening credits)

Mirror universe nuclear weapons test — A nuclear explosion in the mirror universe

Quark, Rom, Nog, and Odo were able to experience a test of an atomic weapon when they were accidentally transported to 1947 Earth. There they harnessed the beta radiation released by an atomic bomb test in the Nevada desert to return to the 24th century. The Ferengi never tested atomic weapons on their own planet, much less actually used them in combat, and Quark was shocked at the "stupidity" of Humans for polluting their own planet with atomic testing. (DS9: "Little Green Men")

In the real-world, the Nevada Test Site began nuclear bomb testing in 1951.
Beta radiation is a very weak form of radiation, consisting of electrons and capable of being stopped by a heavy sweater. Contrary to Nog's assertion in that episode that beta radiation only occurs due to nuclear fission, beta radiation actually can occur naturally from the radioactive decay of numerous sources ^{(citation needed • edit)}. He may have been referring to the quantity of beta radiation required to produce a cascade reaction in kemacite.

In the 1950s, some Earth powers developed another type of nuclear weapon known as hydrogen bombs. (DS9: "Far Beyond the Stars")

Even though peace was declared between those two nations at the end of the 20th century, Humanity's fear of nuclear holocaust was nonetheless realized beginning in circa 2026 with the Third World War. Six hundred million were killed and major cities were destroyed, many through use of atomic weapons. (Star Trek: First Contact) This led to the post-atomic horror. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint") But in a great irony, Zefram Cochrane's first successful faster than light vessel manned by Humans was launched using the remnants of a nuclear missile. (Star Trek: First Contact)

By the mid 23rd century, advances in hull materials technology led to nuclear weapons losing their tactical significance in ship-to-ship combat. Romulan Birds-of-Prey employed them solely as self-destruct devices, and such a warhead detonated point blank in front of a starship without shields raised, caused relatively light casualties as well as temporary electrical disruption. (TOS: "Balance of Terror") Against a Constitution-class starship seriously damaged, with only secondary systems operative, a single hit from a 20th century nuclear missile could cause severe damage. (TOS: "Tomorrow is Yesterday") Low-yield nuclear weapons were still used such as cobalt bombs, that produced an explosion 1/10,000th of the yield of an ounce of antimatter. (TOS: "Obsession")

Appendices

Apocrypha

In the game Star Trek: 25th Anniversary, some time in the 1260s a conflict between the rival societies, the capitalist-like Lucrs and the Communist-like Sofs led to a war with atomic weapons, which devastated their planet, Alpha Proxima III.

External link

Nuclear weapon at Wikipedia

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-__NOTOC__[[File:AtomicBomb.jpg|thumb|The detonation of an atomic bomb forming the characteristic mushroom cloud during the [[Time of Awakening]] on [[Vulcan]]]]
+__NOTOC__[[File:AtomicBomb.jpg|thumb|The detonation of an atomic bomb forming the characteristic mushroom cloud during the [[Time of Awakening]] on {{dis|Vulcan|planet}}]]
-An '''atomic weapon''' (also known as an '''atomic bomb''', '''A-bomb''', '''nuclear weapon''', or more commonly '''nuke''' or '''nuclear missile''') was a term that generally described a device developed by [[Human]]s and other species that utilized the principles of either or both of [[nuclear fission]] and [[nuclear fusion]] to release massive destructive [[energy|energies]]. A relatively low-yield atomic weapon could, for example, destroy a small city. The near-ground detonation of a nuclear weapon could produce a [[mushroom]]-shaped cloud and the subsequent [[radiation|radioactive]] contamination of the surrounding areas could cause [[radiation sickness]] and other health problems. Sufficient use of atomic weapons could also result in a sudden reduction in overall planetary temperatures due to particulate matter in the atmosphere, called a "nuclear winter".  ({{TNG|A Matter of Time}}; {{VOY|Dragon's Teeth|Friendship One}})
+An '''atomic weapon''' (also known as an '''atomic bomb''', '''A-bomb''', '''nuclear weapon''', or more commonly '''nuke''' or '''nuclear missile''') was a term that generally described a device developed by [[Human]]s and other species that utilized the principles of either or both of [[nuclear fission]] and [[nuclear fusion]] to release massive destructive [[energy|energies]]. A relatively low-yield atomic weapon could, for example, destroy a small city. The near-ground detonation of a nuclear weapon could produce a [[mushroom]]-shaped cloud and the subsequent [[radiation|radioactive]] contamination of the surrounding areas could cause [[radiation sickness]] and other health problems. Sufficient use of atomic weapons could also result in a sudden reduction in overall planetary temperatures due to particulate matter in the atmosphere, called a "[[nuclear winter]]".  ({{TNG|A Matter of Time}}; {{VOY|Dragon's Teeth|Friendship One}})
+Many cultures have used atomic weapons. [[Vulcan]]s developed and used nuclear weapons widely in the wars leadings up to the [[Time of Awakening]] around the year 350, devastating their civilization. ({{ENT|Awakening}}) The [[Talosian]] society was effectively destroyed by the use of atomic weapons. ({{TOS|The Cage}}) A jet plane from the [[United States of America]] on Earth that was sent to intercept the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} in [[1969]] was thought by [[Spock]] to potentially have missiles armed with nuclear warheads. ({{TOS|Tomorrow is Yesterday}}) The planet [[Ekos]] fired a thermonuclear missile at the USS ''Enterprise'' in [[2268]]. ({{TOS|Patterns of Force}}) Weapons considered by [[23rd century]] Starfleet to be "atomic" (possibly atomic bombs) were used in the [[Earth-Romulan War]]. ({{TOS|Balance of Terror}}) [[Troyian]] used nuclear side-arms. ({{TOS|Elaan of Troyius}})
-{{bginfo|Although the mushroom cloud is generally associated only with atomic bombs, any sufficiently large explosion – from whatever source – will produce such a cloud as it is a function of atmospheric pressure near a planet rather than radioactive explosions.}}
+{{bginfo|It is unlikely Troyian side-arms were atomic bombs, but instead directed energy weapons based upon nuclear reactions.}}
-Many cultures have used atomic weapons. [[Vulcan]]s developed and used nuclear weapons widely in the wars leadings up to the [[Time of Awakening]] around the year 350, devastating their civilization. ({{ENT|Awakening}}) The [[Talosian]] society was effectively destroyed by the use of atomic weapons. ({{TOS|The Cage}}) A jet plane from the [[United States of America]] on Earth that was sent to intercept the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} in [[1969]] was thought by [[Spock]] to potentially have missiles armed with nuclear warheads. ({{TOS|Tomorrow is Yesterday}}) The planet [[Zeon]] fired a thermonuclear missile at the USS ''Enterprise'' in [[2268]]. ({{TOS|Patterns of Force}}) Weapons considered by [[23rd century]] Starfleet to be "atomic" (possibly atomic bombs) were used in the [[Earth-Romulan War]]. ({{TOS|Balance of Terror}})
-{{bginfo|In {{TOS|Elaan of Troyius}}, the [[Troyian]]s had side-arms that [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] identified as being "nuclear weapons". It is unlikely they were atomic bombs, but instead a directed energy weapon based upon nuclear reactions.}}
 [[File:Fat Man.jpg|thumb|The "[[Fat Man]]" atomic bomb]]
 [[Earth]], especially, saw both development and use of atomic weapons. Combat usage was at first confined for over one hundred years to only two nuclear weapons used by the [[United States of America]] on [[Japan]] at the end of the [[World War II|Second World War]], including the bomb, code-named, "[[Fat Man]]". Because of the weapon's destructive power, though, countless amounts of nuclear weapons were produced and tested (such as at [[Bikini Atoll]]) between 1945-1990, mostly by the [[US]] and the [[Soviet Union]]. ({{ENT|Proving Ground}}) During this period, which became known as the [[Earth Cold War|Cold War]], mankind was constantly on the brink of self-annihilation through, among other atomic weapon delivery systems, orbiting nuclear devices. ({{TOS|Assignment: Earth}}; {{ENT|Carbon Creek}})
+[[File:Nuclear detonation.jpg|thumb|An detonation of a nuclear weapon in Nevada.]]
+''Terrans also developed atomic weapons in the [[mirror universe]].'' ({{ENT|In a Mirror, Darkly}} opening credits)
+[[File:Mirror universe nuclear weapons test.jpg|thumb|A nuclear explosion in the [[mirror universe]]]]
+[[Quark]], [[Rom]], [[Nog]], and [[Odo]] were able to experience a test of an atomic weapon when they were accidentally transported to [[1947]] [[Earth]]. There they harnessed the [[beta radiation]] released by an atomic bomb test in the [[Nevada]] desert to return to the [[24th century]].  The Ferengi never tested atomic weapons on their own planet, much less actually used them in combat, and Quark was shocked at the "stupidity" of Humans for polluting their own planet with atomic testing. ({{DS9|Little Green Men}})
+{{bginfo|In the real-world, the {{w|Nevada Test Site}} began nuclear bomb testing in [[1951]].|Beta radiation is a very weak form of radiation, consisting of electrons and capable of being stopped by a heavy sweater. Contrary to Nog's assertion in that episode that beta radiation only occurs due to nuclear fission, beta radiation actually can occur naturally from the radioactive decay of numerous sources {{incite}}. He may have been referring to the quantity of beta radiation required to produce a cascade reaction in [[kemacite]].}}
-[[Quark]], [[Rom]], [[Nog]], and [[Odo]] were able to experience a test of an atomic weapon when they were accidentally transported to [[1947]] [[Earth]]. There they harnessed the [[beta radiation]] released by an atomic bomb test in the [[Nevada]] desert to return to the [[24th century]].  The Ferengi never tested atomic weapons on their own planet, much less actually used them in combat, and Quark was shocked at the "stupidity" of humans for polluting their own planet with atomic testing.({{DS9|Little Green Men}})
-{{bginfo|Beta radiation is a very weak form of radiation, consisting of electrons and capable of being stopped by a heavy sweater. Contrary to Nog's assertion in that episode that beta radiation only occurs due to nuclear fission, beta radiation actually can occur naturally from the radioactive decay of numerous sources. He may have been referring to the quantity of beta radiation he observed, however. It is also possible that beta radiation has subspace qualities undetectable by 21st century science.}}
 In the [[1950s]], some Earth powers developed another type of nuclear weapon known as [[hydrogen bomb]]s. ({{DS9|Far Beyond the Stars}})
@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 Even though peace was declared between those two nations at the end of the 20th century, Humanity's fear of [[nuclear holocaust]] was nonetheless realized beginning in circa [[2026]] with the [[Third World War]]. Six hundred million were killed and major cities were destroyed, many through use of atomic weapons. ({{film|8}}) This led to the [[post-atomic horror]]. ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint}}) But in a great irony, [[Zefram Cochrane]]'s first successful faster than light vessel manned by Humans was launched using the remnants of a nuclear missile.  ({{film|8}})
-By the mid [[23rd century]], advances in [[deflector shield]] technology led to nuclear weapons losing their tactical significance.  [[Romulan Bird-of-Prey (23rd century)|Romulan Birds-of-Prey]] employed them solely as self-destruct devices, and such a warhead detonated point blank in front of a [[starship]] caused relatively light casualties as well as temporary electrical disruption. ({{TOS|Balance of Terror}})
+By the mid [[23rd century]], advances in hull materials technology led to nuclear weapons losing their tactical significance in ship-to-ship combat. [[Romulan Bird-of-Prey (23rd century)|Romulan Birds-of-Prey]] employed them solely as self-destruct devices, and such a warhead detonated point blank in front of a [[starship]] without shields raised, caused relatively light casualties as well as temporary electrical disruption. ({{TOS|Balance of Terror}}) Against a {{Class|Constitution}} starship seriously damaged, with only secondary systems operative, a single hit from a 20th century [[nuclear missile]] could cause severe damage. ({{TOS|Tomorrow is Yesterday}}) Low-yield nuclear weapons were still used such as [[cobalt bomb]]s, that produced an explosion 1/10,000th of the yield of an ounce of [[antimatter]]. ({{TOS|Obsession}})
 == Appendices ==
 === Related topics ===
 *[[Cobalt fusion warhead]]
+*[[Cobalt-thorium device]]
 *[[Hydrogen bomb]]
-*[[Sub-atomic disruptor]]
+*[[Subatomic disruptor]]
 === Apocrypha ===
@@ Line 31: / Line 32: @@
 === External link ===
-*{{Wikipedia|Nuclear weapon}}
+* {{wikipedia|Nuclear weapon}}
 [[de:Atomwaffe]]