Nuclear proliferation facts for kids

This map shows which countries have nuclear weapons or are working on them.      Countries officially known to have nuclear weapons (like the USA or Russia)      Other countries that have nuclear weapons      Countries thought to be developing nuclear weapons or nuclear programs      Countries that once had nuclear weapons or research programs      Countries that could build nuclear weapons quickly if they decided to

In 2003, Libya admitted it got these machines, called centrifuges, from Pakistan. They are used to make nuclear material.

Nuclear proliferation is when more and more countries start to get or make nuclear weapons. It also means when countries that already have nuclear weapons make more of them.

This can be a big worry because nuclear weapons are very powerful. They can cause huge damage. The map on the right shows which countries have nuclear weapons. It also shows which countries might be trying to get them.

Dual Use Technology

Some technologies can be used for two different things. This is called dual use technology. For example, nuclear technology can create electricity for homes and cities. This is a peaceful use.

However, the same technology can also be used to make nuclear weapons. This is why it's called "dual use." Many tools and materials used for making nuclear power can also be used to build atomic bombs.

A good example of this is the situation with Iran's nuclear activities. The world watches closely to make sure Iran's nuclear program is only for peaceful energy.

Images for kids

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  This diagram shows how countries shared nuclear knowledge. The numbers in brackets show how many nuclear tests each country did.

See also

In Spanish: Proliferación nuclear para niños