The Nuclear Bomb in WWII
The Use and The Making
The Importance of the Nuclear Bomb
The nuclear bomb was a very important tool back in WWII, other wars, although it hasn't been used in any, and it is also important today. Although only two bombs were dropped they are massive weapons of destruction, and will destroy anything within its radius. The nuclear bomb is a carefully dealt with weapon, and is only used when necessary.
The Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was the code name for the development and testing of the nuclear bomb. Contrary to the name The Manhattan Project actually took place in Alamogordo, New Mexico, although it was originally based in New York. The development of the nuclear bomb came about as a way for the U.S to counter the Nazis and force Japan to an immediate surrender, the only problem was that the U.S had no way to do so. To make this idea reality the U.S recruited brilliant minds from around the world including Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi, Leo Szilard. Some of the scientists were even escaped Jews. What made the nuclear bomb possible was Albert Einstein's finding of the formula ( E=mc2 ) showing how a lot of power can come from very little matter, thus making the nuclear bomb possible. Once they finally managed to create this weapon the group of scientists had to agree whether they actually wanted to use it, or hold back and use another idea to force Japanese surrender. In the end Albert Einstein signed a paper stating he approved of the weapon and wanted it to be used.
Destroyed Temple
This is what is left of an old Japanese temple after a bomb a nuclear bomb was dropped in Hiroshima.
City Remains
This is wreckage in a city near where the nuclear bomb was dropped.
Fields
This is what a farmer's field looks like after the bombs were dropped spreading wreckage throughout the field and leaving few structures standing.
The Damage Done in Hiroshima, and Nagasaki
On August 6, 1945 the first ever nuclear bomb was dropped in Hiroshima, wiping out 90% of the city and killing 80,000 people in seconds. On August 9, 1945 the second nuclear bomb was dropped on Nagasaki killing 40,000 people. Weeks later tens of thousands of more people would die to radiation from the bombs. On August 15, 1945 the Japanese unconditionally surrendered.
"Little Boy"
- Weight-9,700 lbs
- Length- 10 ft
- Diameter- 28 in
- Explosive force-15,000 lbs of TNT equivalent
- Dropped by- B-29 Enola Gay Plane
- Pilot- Paul Tibbets
"Fat Man"
- Weight- 10,800
- Length- 10 ft 8 in
- Diameter- 60 in
- Explosive force- 150,000 lbs of TNT equivalent
- Dropped by - B-29 Bockstar
- Pilot- Charles Sweeney