What Are the Positive and Negative Aspects of the Aromic Bomb?
By: Tasha • Essay • 1,477 Words • December 13, 2009 • 4,033 Views
Essay title: What Are the Positive and Negative Aspects of the Aromic Bomb?
The First & Only-Atomic Bomb
The atomic bomb, also known as the atom bomb or fission bomb, a weapon whose explosive power originates from the fission of atomic nuclei, a reaction in which an atomic nucleus splits in two. When the nucleus of a heavy atom, such as the element uranium-235, which is what the atom bomb is made out of, is split, a certain amount of mass disappears and an equivalent amount of energy is released. This was expressed by the equation E=mc2 (energy = mass times the speed of light squared).This is the energy that powers an atom bomb. On a pound-for-pound basis, the U-235 in an atomic bomb can release on the order of one million times as much energy as TNT, a high explosive. The atomic bomb is the first nuclear powered bomb ever used. The atom bomb was created by people that worked in the Manhattan Project. The explosion generated Alpha, Beta, Gamma and neutron rays. Alpha and Beta rays were absorbed by the air and did not reach to the ground. Gamma and neutron rays were strong enough to reach the ground; thus it was these rays that affected people. Within 1/16 mile radius from the explosion center, most people died within a few hours (even in the case where they were not directly exposed to the heat or wind). Within a half mile radius, most people died within 30 days after the explosion. The people who entered the area within a half mile radius from the explosion center in the first 100 hours after the explosion were also affected by the remaining radiation on the ground. Fortunately it has not been observed that the long term effects of radiation affected A-bomb survivors nor that a radiation exposure caused genetic damages. The United States made Japan surrender due to the atomic bomb, which caused many deaths and destruction in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The atomic bomb left Hiroshima and Nagasaki in ruins.
The Manhattan Project was the code name for the U.S. government's secret project that was established before World War II and culminated in the development of the atomic bomb.
In 1938 many people feared that Hitler would build an atomic bomb after word spread that German scientist had split the uranium atom (fission). However, one of Hitlers mistakes was his persecution of Jewish scientists. This persecution resulted in numerous scientists seeking asylum in the United States. One such scientist was Albert Einstein. Einstein, abandoning his belief in pacifism, urged then president Franklin Roosevelt to develop an atomic bomb before Hitler did. Eventually Roosevelt agreed and the United States attempt at building the atomic bomb was codenamed “The Manhattan Project”. The Manhattan Project was carried out in extreme secrecy. By 1945, the project had nearly 40 laboratories and factories which employed approximately 200,000 people. Among these employees were some of the greatest scientist that have ever lived. Included in this lot were Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi, Richard Feynman, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Harold Urey (and this is but a hand full of the many). In 1945 the United States covert operation known as The Manhattan Project achieved its goal - to create the first atomic bomb. Since its inception in 1939, scientist had struggled to find a way to harness the power of fission. Through the combined efforts of many, a test bomb known as "Fat Boy" was finally created. On July 16, 1945 in a desert in New Mexico the worlds first nuclear test, codenamed Trinity, was conducted and ushered in the Atomic Age.
Long Term Implications Of The Manhattan Project
The initial explosion of an atomic bomb is devastating but its destructive capabilities do not end there. Rain that follows an atomic bomb is heavily contaminated with radioactive particles. Many survivors of the initial blast eventually died due to radiation poison. Those survivors that did not die suffured severe burns, nausea, vomitting, fatigue, diarrhea, and hair loss. Other effects are still being discovered to date. One such discovery is the passing on of Leukemia to offspring. Not all by-products of the atomic bomb have been negative. Through the atom bomb, scientist have discovered how to harness the power of nuclear energy. Nuclear power plants are far more efficient than traditional power plants. The medical field has also taken advantage of the atomic bomb. Technology used in the atomic bomb is also used for CAT scans and chemotherapy.
What Was The Outcome Of The Manhattan Project?
In 1945 the United States covert operation known as The Manhattan Project achieved its goal - to create the first atomic bomb. Since its inception in 1939, scientist had struggled to find a way to harness the power of