An atomic bomb is a powerful explosive weapon that derives its force from the sudden release of energy in a nuclear reaction called fission, or splitting, of the nuclei of such heavy elements as plutonium and uranium. (Yanak, Cornelison) The Manhattan project was named after the Manhattan Engineer District in New York were most early research was done. (Rodreyer, Smith) The Manhattan project began with the idea brought up by foreign and other advanced physicists in 1938. The idea sprung up due to the fear of Hitler, a powerful enemy of the time, who was believed to be building a bomb similar to that like the Manhattan projects. (Yanak, Cornelison) Germany even had a two-year head start on developing nuclear energy.
The U.S. believed that if the atomic bomb ended the war, the U.S. would establish postwar supremacy over the Soviets. In addition, the atomic bomb had cost 2 billion dollars and mobilized, at its peak, over 120,000 people. Linking this weapon to the end of the war would help justify that expenditure. In addition to the desire to force Japan's surrender, these considerations led the U.S. to proceed with the atomic bombings. (2) Why did it happen?
The island of Okinawa was the closest island to the Japanese mainland, and the last island battle. Many higher-ups believed that Okinawa could be seen as a trial for an invasion of Japan, yet before the native soil of Japan could be assaulted, atomic bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. To what extent did the Battle of Okinawa affect the U.S.’s decision to deploy the atomic bomb? The decision to drop the bomb was solely up to the President of the United States at that time, Harry S. Truman. With the bomb came advances in technology, the possibility to end millions of lives, and the beginnings of the Cold War.
Iran claims the recent uranium stockpile is specifically for the use of their peaceful energy program; however, the United States and other P5 countries share the concern that the stockpile and dramatic production increase needs to be stopped immediately, preventing Iran from creating nuclear weapons. Iran’s nuclear program is assumed to be capable of creating a nuclear weapon within the next year. In a speech addressed to the UN General Assembly Netanyahu physically drew a red line on a diagram of a cartoon bomb under a divided section marked, “final stage” (Nichols 1). Netanyahu and other experts suggest that if uranium enrichment stockpiles remain at these levels or increase, Iran will be capable of nuclear weapons and sooner than expected. Netanyahu’s illustration for his speech approximates Iran is 90 percent along the way to the creation of nuclear weapons.
In order to end the conflict of the World War II, a weapon that surpassed all other conventional weapons of that time would need to be created. In 1939, rumors of Nazi Germany pursuit to manufacture an atomic bomb and insure their victory in the war terrified the scientist that sought refuge in America. It also heightened the urgency for America to create the atomic bomb first. Albert Einstein was the one of those refugee scientists that was alerted to Germany's intent and wrote letters
The Nobel patent detonator used a strong shock rather than heat combustion to ignite the explosives. The Nobel Company built the first factory to manufacture nitroglycerin and dynamite. Nitroglycerin and Dynamite Nitroglycerin was first invented by Italian chemist Ascanio Sobrero in 1846. In its natural liquid state, nitroglycerin is very volatile. Alfred Nobel understood this and in 1866 he discovered that mixing nitroglycerine with silica would turn the liquid into a malleable paste, called dynamite.
Nuclear fusion however is the reaction in which two or more nuclei combine together to form a new element with higher atomic number. The fusion of two nuclei with lower masses than iron generally releases energy, while the fusion of nuclei heavier than iron absorbs energy. This means that fusion generally occurs for lighter elements only, and likewise, that fission normally occurs only for heavier elements. For a nuclear fusion reaction to occur it is necessary to bring two nuclei so close that nuclear forces become active and glue the nuclei together. Nuclear forces are small-distance forces and have to act against the electrostatic forces where positively charged nuclei repel each other.
Who invented the atomic bomb? Answer: During World War II, the United States, with the assistance (collaboration) of physicists, mathematicians, and engineers from the U.S., Britain, Canada and Germany (former Nazi physicists), completed the Manhattan Project to produce the first atomic bomb. (The project started as the "Manhattan District Engineers" and only became "The Manhattan Project" some time later). There was some early speculation about the possibility of what could be done if a nuclear chain reaction was unleashed in a way that would allow it to build without control. For a roll call, consider that Robert Oppenheimer was the head of "science" for the Manhattan Project, and (in alphabetical order) Felix Block, David Bohm, Niels
The Making of a Bomb On August 6th and 9th, 1945, two explosions leveled the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The brute destructive force of the atomic bomb was the likes of which had never been seen before. The path taken to bring this marvel to fruition was paved with moral scruples and encompassed the collaboration of thousands of brilliant scientist along with allocation of billions of dollars. The massive undertaking was all kept secret under the Umbrella of the US government’s top secret project, code named “the Manhattan Project.” How is it that a seemingly dooms-day device came to be and what challenges did this endeavor encounter? I plan to explore the makings of the new class of weapon that intimidated nations and presented unparalleled threats to which the world had never experienced before.
“It wasn’t necessary to hit them with that awful thing” – Dwight Eisenhower Discuss this quote in relation to historian’s views on the United States decision to drop the atomic bombs on Japan. On August 6th and August 9th 1945, atomic weapons were used as weapons for the first and only time in human history. President Truman’s decision to drop the atomic bombs on Japan has since created some of the most controversial debates in history. Historians have been divided since that day, as to whether or not it was necessary to drop the atomic bombs, and what the real reasons for dropping them were. In fact, the debates behind using the atomic bombs against Japan began even before the decision was made.