- published: 19 Dec 2013
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A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission ("atomic") bomb test released the same amount of energy as approximately 20,000 tons of TNT. The first thermonuclear ("hydrogen") bomb test released the same amount of energy as approximately 10,000,000 tons of TNT.
A modern thermonuclear weapon weighing little more than 2,400 pounds (1,100 kg) can produce an explosive force comparable to the detonation of more than 1.2 million tons (1.1 million tonnes) of TNT. Thus, even a small nuclear device no larger than traditional bombs can devastate an entire city by blast, fire and radiation. Nuclear weapons are considered weapons of mass destruction, and their use and control have been a major focus of international relations policy since their debut.
Only two nuclear weapons have been used in the course of warfare, both by the United States near the end of World War II. On 6 August 1945, a uranium gun-type device code-named "Little Boy" was detonated over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Three days later, on 9 August, a plutonium implosion-type device code-named "Fat Man" was exploded over Nagasaki, Japan. These two bombings resulted in the deaths of approximately 200,000 Japanese people—mostly civilians—from acute injuries sustained from the explosions. The role of the bombings in Japan's surrender, and their ethical status, remain the subject of scholarly and popular debate.
My arms around you
Ya better keep your head low
All dressed up
No place to go
Make love to you all night long
Listen to atomic bombs
Hear the people scratch
On the shelter door
Leave us alone
Nobody lives here no more
Make love to you all night long
Listen to atomic bombs
Safe and sound you're next to me
Close the door on World War Three
Oh just kick your shoes off, sing a song
Listen to atomic bombs
I've been waiting here
Through all your fears
Close your eyes and look away
Hear the bombers blast
Your times come at last
So pray if you stay
Kick your shoes off sing a song
Listen to atomic bombs
Make love to you all night long