2007-12-27 22:54:58 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Thanks craig b, the Point is, the Knowledge hasn't Been a Factor for a Very Long Time, but the Acquiring of the Materials Always was.
2007-12-27 23:09:14 · update #1
Irv S, yours and the Answer Before yours, Speak of Things I'm Not Familiar With, What is this Nano Second Technology? Am I Missing Something? Are You Referring to the Detonation of Shaped Charges In a Pu-239 Bomb?
2007-12-28 10:50:06 · update #2
Psyengine, No Doubt, the Chief Effect of a Dirty Bomb is Psychological, your Answer Demonstrates this, Realistically How Many Deaths From Radiation (Immediate and Late) Would you Expect From a Dirty Bomb? BTW, What Radiation Sources Would you Expect to Be Present?
2007-12-28 12:46:43 · update #3
Sure the knowledge is out there. It was out there in 1951. But as was mentioned getting the prime ingredients is very difficult. There are about 65 pounds of weapons grade plutonium missing from the old Soviet Unions stockpiles. Where is it? Who knows but it is most likely in the hands of those people that have the material but don't have the knoweldge to assemble it.
Now that the is turmoil in Pakistan I would suspect that the knoweldge of materials and manufacturing will become more available too
2007-12-28 22:02:23 · answer #1 · answered by .*. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I"m not sure how available that knowledge is. The people who have the technical expertise keep it very secretive. I am an engineer and I can't find any technical information on how to build a nuke. All I can find is general priniples of operation.
And yes, there is the issue of getting and refining the raw materials. But even so, exactly what to do with the materials once you get it, is a different story. Off the top of my head, the atoms must be released very quickly in order for a nuclear explosion to take place. That tells me that it's much easier to build a "dirty bomb" than a nuke.
2007-12-28 07:41:36 · answer #2 · answered by Dr D 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is general knowledge, specific knowledge and then there is the fine detail that makes it possible to build something and make it work.
Another way to put it is, "the devil is in the details."
As an example: When the US made the first atomic bombs, they knew they had to bring the various pieces of plutonium together in an instant to form a critical mass and start the chain reaction. Getting the physical configuration right and control of the conventional explosives that would do this was a major problem.
Another significant problem is having the remote control tools and devices necessary to work the radioactive materials properly. You don't just stick a bunch of uranium on a lathe and begin machining it.
2007-12-28 15:00:16 · answer #3 · answered by oil field trash 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, there in knowledge and there is technology. I suppose you are talking about the desire to prevent certain people form obtaining nuclear weapons technology.
It is one thing to know that different isotopes of have different masses and can be separated with a centrifuge, it is quite another thing to build and operate an effective centrifuge. Just like knowing that putting a sufficient quantity of fissionable material will cause a chain reaction , is not enough to make an efficient weapon. Note that the early uranium bomb, which, IF you have the material, is rather easy to make, was BIG, certainly could not be delivered by a practical missile (but would easily fit in a cargo ship)
2007-12-28 15:00:00 · answer #4 · answered by tinkertailorcandlestickmaker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Even if you are competent enough to correctly interpret the data that is available, ready material source data is secured. On the other hand, if you wanted to simply pollute, that would be far easier as waste material is let loose from many nuclear power plants regularly.
2007-12-28 20:25:18 · answer #5 · answered by Psyengine 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes - and so is the intelligence and insight not to do so. There are always idiots in the playground without restraint, who will push others into mutually destructive conflict. But that doesn't mean we have to use the same weapons to defeat them in the end. It just takes cunning, persistence, and time - the greatest weapons of all.
2007-12-28 20:21:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The genreral principles are common knowledge.
The technology to apply the principles with the required
nano-second precision is kinda hard to find.
2007-12-28 18:06:44 · answer #7 · answered by Irv S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah. Try and get your hands on the tritium or plutonium or .............any part of it!
Even then it has to be delivered.
What's your point?
2007-12-28 07:04:08 · answer #8 · answered by craig b 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes...
"amour"
2007-12-28 12:08:54 · answer #9 · answered by ill zee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but not the knowledge to not use it.
2007-12-28 07:00:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋