Which of the following types of weapons are classified as weapons of mass destruction?

Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) encompass a broad category of weaponry that can cause significant harm to large populations and widespread destruction. This classification includes various types of weapons that share the capability to inflict extensive casualties and damage.

Explosives are considered weapons of mass destruction because they can generate blast waves and shrapnel that cause large-scale destruction and loss of life, especially in populated areas. Chemical weapons, which can incapacitate or kill through toxic agents, also fall under this category due to their potential for mass harm and their use in warfare. Nuclear weapons are among the most devastating types of WMD, with the power to annihilate entire cities and create long-term environmental and health consequences due to radiation.

Therefore, all three categories—explosives, chemicals, and nuclear weapons—are encompassed within the definition of weapons of mass destruction. This collective understanding underscores the rationale for classifying them all as WMD, highlighting their capability to cause catastrophic damage on a large scale.