Answer #1

Both categorised under the classification ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’ chemical and nuclear weapons are constructed with the sole purpose of causing as much damage, destruction and death as physically possible. They are both therefore identical in ultimate purpose, though designed to go about the achievement of such in very much different ways.

Nuclear weapons are explosive devices which obtain their power and destructive capabilities from forced nuclear reactions through fission, or by combining fusion and fission. Whichever method is adopted, huge quantities of destructive energy are releases from what are fairly small amounts of physical matter. The capability of destruction is huge, with the first ever thermonuclear bomb test releasing approximately the same energy as would be expected from 10 million tons of dynamite. Nuclear weapons cause their destruction in the form of a single, gigantic explosion of almost immeasurable heat which simply vaporises and destroys everything in its path for miles around. The long term effects include radioactive fallout which can render huge areas unable to sustain life for generations to come.

Chemical weapons, on the other hand, are designed not specifically with the intention of physical destruction or damage, but are produced to cause mass death or severed harm to human beings and animals alike. Also classed as a weapon of mass destruction, chemical weapons are condemned almost the world over for their inherently sadistic characteristics and intentions. Despite their horrific trait, chemical weapons have been actively used by armies across the world in past conflicts, thought their use is seen as something of a criminal act in itself in the modern world. Whether carried in projectiles, rockets or other artillery shells, chemical weapons inflict their damage by releasing upon or before impact poisonous gasses or chemicals known to cause harm, incapacity or death to any life form they come in contact with. This has been traditionally used as a way of subduing or wiping out entire communities while keeping surrounding buildings and structures intact.

Answered By: lindai [41 ]