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Idea of Atomic Bomb Stated
Leo Szilard
Hungarian physicist Leo Szilard states that, "if we could find an element which is split by neutrons, and which would emit two neutrons when it absorbs one, such an element could sustain a nuclear chain reaction." This is a genreal overview of how a bomb works, and was stated 8 years before the first bombs were built -
The Discovery of Fission
Neils Bohr
Neil Bohr announced the the discovery of nuclear fission. This opened a gateway to the building of the Atomic Bomb. Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits which releases a large amount of energy(explosion). -
Extracting Uranium
Harold Urey
On this day, scientist Harold Urey discvoered how to extract Uranium-235 through the process of diffusion. This lead to learning more about how to create the atomic bomb and what was used in the atomic bomb. Harold Urey was a chemist that coincedentally studied at Neils Bohr's institution. Harold also discovered the electrolytic method for the separation of hydrogen isotopes. -
World War II Begins
World War 2 Begins
"Operation Weiss" occured in which Germany invaded Poland and World War II began. American papers called it a Blitzkrieg or "lightening war" because of the speed and efficiency of the attack. This began the war that would would eventually last 6 years and end due to the creation of nuclear weapons. -
FDR approves of development
Approving of the Development President Franklin Roosevelt approves the development of the atomic bomb, This would lead to the dropping of the two bombs and the end of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. At this time the great depression was occuring, and FDR was filling the nation with hope and faith for a future in such a sad time. -
Building of Atomic Bomb
Making of Bomb site The Making of The Atomic Bomb VideoPresident Roosevelt authorizes the Manhattan Engineering District to begin the guilding of the atomic bomb. He gave them $2 million towards the building of the atomic bomb. inside the bomb there is enriched uranium. the bomb its self is 99% uranium. -
Manhattan Project
Manhattan ProjectPresident Roosevelt, the president of the U.S, commited $2 million dollars to the Manhattan Project, which was a secret project designated to create the atom bomb. At the time only a few scientists around the globe believed that creating an atomic bomb was even theoretcally possible. This occured the day before Pearl Harpor was bombed. -
Approving of Atom Bomb
Truman Approves
President Harry Trueman approves the use of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Although this decision was hard to make, and had many risks, the result was that the 6 year World War ended. The Atom Bomb had never been used before and noone was sure if it would complete the task at hand. -
Dropping of Little Boy
LittleBoy site
Video Footage
The atomic bomb, Little Boy, was dropped on Hiroshima. It weighted just under ten thousand pounds, and exploded with a force of thirteen to eighteen kilotons. LittleBoy wasnt tested, because of low supply of urinaium. The bomb was dropped from a B-29 bomber plane named the Enola Gay. The explosion of the bomb killed 130,000 to 150,000 people. -
Dropping of FatMan
FatMan Site
Video Footage
The atomic bomb, FatMan, was dropped on Nagasaki. In result to the bomb exploding, forty thousand people were killed. The bomb was dropped from a B-29 bomber plane. Fatman weighted over ten thousand pounds, and had and explosive force equal to twenty thousand pounds of TNT -
Atomic Energy Act Made
Atomic Act Site
After the power of the atomic bomb was shown, congress made the Atomic Energy Act. It's the fundamental U.S. law which lays the boundries for both civilian and military uses of nuclear materials. This act helped society feel safe about the use of Atomic weapons because of the barriers it set.
