=Nuclear Issues Debate: Research and Argument Organizer

Stakeholder: High Ranking U.S Military Officer

Group Members:
Patrick Veihman
Nate Wilson
Lexi Weingardt
Abby Palmgren

Part 1: The Chemistry (Patrick Veihman)

Fat Man and Little Boy
Fat Man and Little Boy were the two nuclear bombs that were dropped in
1945 at the end of World War II. Both were fission atomic bombs. Little Boy
was a gun-type weapon with a uranium core while Fat Man was an implosiontype device with a plutonium core (Science Behind Atomic Bomb). Little Boy
operated by slamming two masses of U-235 together, so that as one mass, it
becomes unstable enough to set off a nuclear reaction. Fat Man operated in a
similar way. The core was made of Plutonium-240, and was surrounded by
explosives. The explosives, when ignited, would compress the plutonium into its
critical point, and would set off the nuclear reaction.

Modern Nuclear Weapons

Modern nuclear weapons have become extremely complex throughout
time. However, they follow a simple two stage design. Thermonuclear devices
contain a trigger and a secondary. Both use fission to start and create a reaction.
Much like Fat Man, a chemical explosion begins the fission of the trigger. Once
the reaction begins, all of the energy. x-rays, and heat are reflected by the casing
back into the secondary (Thermonuclear Warhead). All of that energy sets of the
secondary nuclear reaction, and bomb ignites.
Fuel Source
Fission is fueled by Uranium and Plutonium. More specifically it is
usually U-235 and Pu-239 because those isotopes are unstable and react in
greater energy. In order for a nuclear device to activate, there needs to be a
very certain amount of these elements. Once these elements reach the so
called critical mass the neutrons released by fission will strike another
nucleus and snowball into a chain reaction.
Nuclear Reactions and How They Work
The nuclear reactions contained within an atomic bomb are induced by neutrons (Nuclear Chemistry).
In a nuclear weapon using U-235 the equation is as follows:
235

U+

92

n = 14156Ba + 9236Kr + 3 10n

When the unstable isotope U-235 is paired with a neutron, the atom splits into Barium and Krypton and releases
on average about 2.5 neutrons. The initial reaction releases neutrons into other U-235 atoms, and a chain
reaction forms. A lot of energy is produced by such a reactionaround 80 million kilojoules per gram of U-235
on average. The reason for such a large amount of energy is that there are 11 reactions in the U-235 decay chain,
so by the time the isotope becomes a stable atom, the mass deficit will have created massive quantities of

energy. The same principle goes for Plutonium-239. There are 12 different reactions where the mass deficits
will create large amounts of energy.
Part 2: Pros and Cons
Pros

Cons

As nations such as Iran, North Korea, and Syria

continue to have warlike behaviors, it is necessary for
other countries to have nuclear weapons in the event
that a war starts. If America did not have nuclear
weapons in reserve, the Cold War wouldnt have been
the Cold War. But thats irrelevant since then there
wouldnt be an America anyway.

One of the largest and most obvious cons of having

nuclear weapons is the moral aspect of it. Many
people are divided over whether or not it is okay for
nations who are supposed to be good, moral nations
to have weapons of destruction. A good example of
this was the bombs that were dropped by the U.S. on
Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The U.S. military thought
they were doing the right thing by cutting the war
short, but the line is a very gray one.

Nations that have nuclear power in their possession

are often considered very powerful and dangerous.
For example, North Korea, although it is a small,
seemingly insignificant nation, it is actually a great
danger to countries all over the world because they
are an aggressive nation that has a large army and a
small amount of nuclear weapons.

Whenever nuclear weapons are used, the cost of

human life is greater than the damage to the
infrastructure or the land. Aside from the immediate
loss of hundreds of thousands of lives that comes
with nuclear weapons, the radioactive waste that is
left behind can also hurt centuries of people to come.

Other weapons of war, such as Agent Orange (used in

Vietnam) causes damage to the environment as well.
Military vehicles, such as planes and tanks, also cause
damage to the environment.

Nuclear weapons have a horrendous effect on the

environment. Thermal radiation is one major effect of
nuclear weapons that can damage the environment.
Thermal radiation can cause huge, extremely
dangerous firestorms.

According to the Arms Control Association, nuclear

weapons only account for 5-6% of the national
defense budget.

Nuclear weapons cost an abundance of money to

build as well as maintain.

Assuming we use a Cold War strategy, the

Radiation gives people cancer, which means that land
environmental effects of blasting nukes are irrelevant. that has been nuked becomes uninhabitable. It can
take several years for a place to recover from the
fallout and radiation caused by nuclear weapons.

Part 3: Our Position

When a country contains a large amount of nuclear weapons, they have much more power over the rest
of the world. For example, North Korea is highly feared because it possesses an abundance of nukes. If a

country decides to create nuclear weapons, they will seem like much more of a superpower and wont be
dismissed by other countries.
Another reason is that when a country possesses these weapons, it improves national and even global
security. When people, especially members of the military, feel like they have the power to fight back in case
there is a threat, they feel much safer. It is the government's responsibility to reduce threats to humanity. After a
nuclear disaster, citizens would be questioning what we could've done to prevent it from happening. The
question is, why aren't we doing anything now?
Nuclear weapons are also important to the military because jobs such as strategic nuclear submarine
fleets depend on nuclear arsenals. There are a variety of jobs that deal with nuclear weapons and without them
there are significantly less job opportunities.
Opening Statement Presenter: Abby Palmgren
In our modern society, threats to our national security arise nearly every day. As high ranking military
officers, we believe that it is necessary for our country to possess nuclear weapons. Doing so provides numerous
jobs to produce and maintain them, and, not only will possessing nuclear weapons give us the capability to fight
back if we are threatened, but they would ensure the safety of the general public. Countries that possess nuclear
weapons are seen as a large threat. In the situation of a war, nations that dont have nuclear weapons will likely
be taken advantage of due to their apparent vulnerability. In the movie Iron Man, Tony Stark says that The best
weapon is the one that only needs to be fired once. This is true for nuclear weapons. After the bombing of
Japan, the world became enlightened of the dangerous power of these weapons. We were protected from
Russias nuclear weapons during the Cold War only because they knew that we had them too. If we decide to
get rid of our nuclear weapons, there will be nothing to stop other countries (like North Korea) from obliterating
the United States.
Argument A-War Deterrent/Global Security Presenter: Abby Palmgren
As many countries such as North Korea and Syria continue to be very war-like, it is necessary that we
have nuclear weapons in the event that a war were to break out. For example, if we had a conflict with either of
these countries and they decided to bomb us, without weapons of the same level as them, we would stand no
chance. In addition, the possession of nuclear weapons provides national security that makes people feel like
they have the power to fight back. This way, a nations citizens arent constantly afraid of being attacked. It is
the governments job to reduce threats to humanity. After a nuclear disaster, the public would be questioning
what we could've done to prevent it from happening.
Argument B - Place in the 21st Century Presenter: Patrick V-man
Nuclear weapons play a vital role in todays society. As technology becomes increasingly complex,
there are no limits to what weapons can do to the surface of Earth. With the dawn of a new century and
millennium still hovering over us, the U.S Department of Defense got together in 2002 in a Nuclear Posture
Review (NPR) meeting (21st Century Weapons). In that meeting, four concepts were outlined: Assurance,
Dissuasion, Deterrence, and Defeat. We can prevent nuclear devices from falling into the hands of not only
adversaries, but allies too through assurance. If we continue to build up our technology and stockpile, we will
assure to everyone in the world that the U.S is a capable power, but it will deter them from wanting to take
matters into their own hands. Peace treaties, coalitions, and alliances are all made with nuclear weapons in
mind. With nuclear capabilities, nations would want to make an agreement more willingly. The Earth as whole

also faces many unique threats. The biggest would be asteroid impact. It is important to possess nuclear
devices in the event that an asteroids trajectory is on line with the planet. NASA is constantly working on the
effectiveness of nuclear devices on asteroids, and spends hundreds of thousands of dollars per year studying
(Nuclear Deterrent). Not only are weapons acting as terms of peace treaties, earth-savers, but they also create
jobs. There are 8 major nuclear weapons facilities in the U.S (Major Facilities). Those facilities are directly
responsible for approximately 52,000 jobs. Indirectly they can be responsible for 100,000-200,000.
Argument C - Best Weapon Presenter: Nate Wilson
Some people may argue that nuclear weapons are expensive and non-intuitive to deal with. However,
According to the Arms Control Association, nuclear weapons only account for 5-6% of the national defense
budget. And in the slight chance that we would decide to fire our nuclear weapons, they would spontaneously
do far more damage than the other 95% of our military ever could. Much like how you should never bring a
knife to a gunfight, if we attempt to stand up to North Korea without possessing any nuclear weapons ourselves
we wouldnt stand a chance. Again, this does not mean that we will fire these weapons; it is simply a good idea
to have them in stock to protect our nations people from outside threats.
Rebuttal Presenters: Nate Wilson and Lexi Weingardt
See Pros/Cons list and argument paragraphs
According to a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in
2014, nine nations the United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel
and North Korea possess approximately 16,300 nuclear weapons. in total.
5% of the U.S.s total military power is composed of nuclear weapons. This 5% has the
capability to do a great deal of damage compared to the other 95%.
Russia and the United States have reduced their inventories but still account for more than 93%
of all operational nuclear warheads.

Closing Statement Presenter: Patrick V-man

Nuclear devices are a necessary evil. In todays global society of increasing aggression towards the
Western World, nuclear weapons are one of the only things that can effectively stop an adversary from
attacking. Nuclear devices provide security for those who possess them. Through mutually assured destruction,
countries are more hesitant to begin war with countries possessing nuclear devices. These weapons have
redeeming qualities as well. They are great ways to create alliances with countries that normally would not
want to, they can protect the world as a whole from extraterrestrial threats, and are good for the economy. They
are extremely efficient in what they do. We can end wars, stop regimes, and take out armies with a single
nuclear device. In the end, we are left with one question: Do the ends justify the means? Nuclear weapons
have capabilities that are horrifying. Even more horrifying that time and time again we debate on using them.
In 1945, President Truman deliberated day and night on whether or not to use Fat Man and Little Boy. In the
end, he came to the conclusion that yes he would. Truman decided that the murder of multiple hundreds of
thousands was the best choice. Truman decided losing that many innocent lives was better than an invasion of
Japan. The death toll of a Japan invasion was estimated in the multiple millions. Nuclear devices, while
inherently evil, allow us, and the world, to sacrifice one, for the many. Possessing nuclear devices/weapons is
necessary and justifiable. The ends justify the means.

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