Do above ground Nuclear testings effect people over a large area with radiation posioning?

Question

Arguing with my friend who thinks that nuclear strikes only effect the area that they hit and corrupt the area for a long time.

Answer 1

For the sake of your question, we will assume an airburst explosion similar to the (thankfully) only two atomic weapons used in wartime.

There are four basic effects of a nuclear explosion of this type.

1. The blast effect of the explosion itself. This effect is much like a chemical explosion in that the atmospheric shockwave from the rapid expansion of the air causes damage in a relatvely localized area.
2. Heat effects. You're essentially setting off a small piece of a star (if we talk fusion) or something similar to it (if we talk fission). The extreme temperature will ignite most flammable materials but is also in a relatively localized area.
3. Radiation release. Depending on the construction of the bomb, we could be talking a basic mixture of alpha (He nuclei), beta (electrons) and gamma radiation. There will also be free neutrons formed that can induce radioactivity in materials rendering them dangerous to approach until a sufficient number of half-lives have passed. Weapons can be designed to enhance the neutron flux to kill off organism but leave buildings and equipment relatively intact and usable. This was the concept behind "neutron bomb"
4. Fallout. This is material that has been rendered radioactive and thrown into the air by the blast effect. The dust and such can travel for long distances depending on wind conditions. As with 3., the threat to humans and animals will exist until a sufficient number of half-lives have passed. Some radioactive materials, like strontium-90, can be preferentially absorbed and cause a much greater level of damage than the absorbed amount may suggest.

Luckily, we only have two examples of what happens after a nuclear strike. Both Nagasaki and Hiroshima were habitable relatively soon after the strikes took place. It turned out that crops grown after the bombs exploded were very successful as the radiation had killed off a lot of bugs and other organisms that otherwise would have gone after the crops as usual. Some areas had to be avoided for a limited amount of time because of the induced radiation.

Answer 2

No.... tests are performed in unpopulated areas like the middle of the Nevada desert or in the middle of nowhere like Bikini Atoll. We detonated 4 or five Atomic weapons on or near Bikini and today, fifty years later, it is covered with plant and animal life... yes there is residual radiation and radioactive contamination, but not that much, even though it will be around for the next 700 million years, it hasn't stopped the Atoll from becoming a world class tourist attraction for divers and sport fisherman and military historians, see for yourself:

http://www.bikiniatoll.com/home.html

Answer 3

What did you ask? speak english!

Answer 4

u asked the Q i ans look wat we r doing ritght now/???