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2024-05-19 Science & Technology

What was purpose of a subcritical experiment at a nuclear test site in the United States?

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Posted by badanov 2024-05-19 00:00|| || Front Page|| [121 views ] Top

#1 Short version: Existing nuclear weapons material degrades over time (half-life), and is refined to begin with to a weapons grade percentage purity.
So when does the degradation of the percentage become important? 'Cause we haven't made any of this stuff since the '70s.

Posted by ed in texas 2024-05-19 08:43|| 2024-05-19 08:43|| Front Page Top

#2 I expect less testing of the bomb and more of the control circuitry for radiation damage.

Posted by Skidmark 2024-05-19 10:31|| 2024-05-19 10:31|| Front Page Top

#3 ^ My late Uncle worked at Lawrence Livermore. He told me once that "all nukes are neutron bombs to a more or less extent"

Posted by Frank G 2024-05-19 10:42|| 2024-05-19 10:42|| Front Page Top

#4 And they can sure suck some oxygen...even residents of Dresden and Tokyo know that from Feb-Mar 45.

Posted by DooDahMan 2024-05-19 10:59|| 2024-05-19 10:59|| Front Page Top

#5 Bombing of Dresden

Bombing of Tokyo

Posted by Skidmark 2024-05-19 11:10|| 2024-05-19 11:10|| Front Page Top

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