News Physics

Here’s the science behind nuclear weapons testing

President Trump wants the U.S. to resume nuclear weapons tests. See what that would mean

Play the video Nuclear weapons testing science explained

By Emily Conover

Nuclear weapons tests were once a regular occurrence, but most countries haven’t tested in decades, following the adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in 1996. Now, that moratorium might be nearing an end. Politicians, including U.S. President Donald Trump, have called for tests to resume.