Research on The Comparison of Nuclear Weapon Test Methods

Since the invention of nuclear weapons in 1945, countless more nuclear weapons were created and tested all around the world. There are many different ways to test nuclear weapons, with some being safer than other. Due to many misunderstandings on how nuclear weapon test methods work, many do not understand the purpose of different types of nuclear testing methods, as well as the differences between them. This paper is going to explain the advantages that some test methods hold over others, as well as their disadvantages. This is determined through their cost, preparation time, and the safety of their surroundings after the detonation. Nuclear weapon testing can be divided into 4 types: atmospheric, underground, exoatmospheric, and underwater. Literature research and case study were used to examine the 4 testing methods, followed by the comparison of underwater, atmospheric, and exoatmospheric testing to underground testing, which was deduced as the best testing method due to its low cost to safety ratio.

Automated summary

This paper explains different methods of nuclear weapon testing and their advantages and disadvantages, comparing them based on cost, preparation time, and safety. Underground testing is deduced to be the best method.