Discussion: The Likelyhood of Dirty Bombs

[helbent4]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

0.055 Kt. Isn't there a problem with the triggers on devices that small due to the radioactivity? Or was the actual device much larger than the yield would indicate?

Paul,

Apparently, "Pascal-A" was actually a test of a fail-safe design and was intended to ignite a "1-point detonation", where (I guess) the plutonium only made contact at a single point and not at several points (like normal). The yield was only expected to be 1-2 lbs (as a "fizzle") but it fizzled a lot more than they expected! In theory, 55 tons is approaching the lower limit.

http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/Plumbob.html

(Scroll down to "Pascal-A".)

"It is not known how small the smallest theoretically possible nuclear explosion would be, but 55 tons is the smallest of which there is a record, and may approach the lower boundary."

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-...explosions.htm

Tony