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Enrico Fermi
Italian physicist prominent in nuclear physics and quantum theory. Born in Rome, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Fermi in 1938 for his research on the irradiation of elements with neutrons. In 1939, he emigrated to the United States, where he contributed to the development of the first nuclear reactor and worked on the Manhattan Project. The Fermi-Dirac model in quantum statistics is well known, and an important legacy in modern physics was left by it. -
Second World War
World War II (1939-1945) was a global conflict involving most of the world's nations, divided into two main alliances: the Allies and the Axis Powers. It began with Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939 and was characterized by significant battles, the Holocaust, and the use of nuclear weapons at Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The war was concluded with the surrender of Germany in May and Japan in September, resulting in the creation of the United Nations Organization and a new world order. -
Holocaust
The Holocaust was the genocide of approximately six million European Jews by the Nazi regime between 1941 and 1945. In addition to Jews, millions of Gypsies, disabled people, and other groups were also persecuted and murdered. Jews were deported to concentration and extermination camps, where massacres were carried out. This event left a deep mark on history and underlined the importance of remembering to prevent future atrocities. -
First nuclear reactor
The first nuclear reactor, known as "Chicago Pile-1", was built under the direction of Enrico Fermi and the first controlled chain reaction was achieved at the University of Chicago. Graphite was used as a moderator and uranium as a fuel. This experiment was considered crucial to the development of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons, and was part of the Manhattan Project. Chicago Pile-1 was dismantled in 1954, but its impact is still considered significant in modern physics. -
Bomb in Hiroshima
The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, known as "Little Boy," was a nuclear fission device that used uranium-235. It was launched from the B-29 bomber "Enola Gay" at 8:15 a.m. It is estimated that around 140,000 people died from the explosion and radiation, and approximately 70% of the city was destroyed. -
Bomb in Nagasaki
The atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, known as "Fat Man," was a nuclear fission device that used plutonium-239. It was launched from the B-29 "Bockscar" bomber at 11:02 a.m. It is estimated that around 70,000 people died immediately, and many more were later affected by radiation effects. -
United Nations Foundation
The United Nations (UN) was founded as an international organization to promote peace, security and cooperation between countries. Its structure includes the General Assembly and the Security Council. It works on peacekeeping, sustainable development, the protection of human rights and humanitarian assistance. With 193 member states, its role is considered essential in international diplomacy and solving global problems. -
Beginning of the Cold War
The Cold War was characterized as a political, ideological and military conflict that developed mainly between the United States and the Soviet Union. It was not considered a conventional war, but a struggle of influences, ideologies and global power. The rivalry between Western capitalism and Soviet communism was prominent, and although direct confrontations did not occur between the superpowers, indirect conflicts took place in various regions of the world, such as Korea and Vietnam. -
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan was an initiative launched by the United States in 1948 to rebuild Europe after World War II. Proposed by George C. Marshall, approximately $13 billion in aid was offered to 16 countries between 1948 and 1952. The goal was the revitalization of European economies and the containment of communism, thus strengthening ties between the US and Western Europe. -
First nuclear reactor to generate electrical energy
The first nuclear reactor to generate electrical energy was AM-1, inaugurated in Obninsk, Russia. With a power of 5 megawatts, it was designed to use uranium as fuel and water as a moderator. This milestone marked the beginning of nuclear energy as an electrical source and laid the foundation for the development of larger, more efficient reactors in the future. -
Death of Enrico Ferm
Enrico Fermi died at the age of 53. His death was attributed to complications related to stomach cancer, which had been diagnosed shortly before. Fermi was recognized as a leading figure in nuclear physics and is credited with contributions to the development of the first nuclear reactor, as well as his work on the Manhattan Project and on quantum theory. -
Creation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was created to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevent its military use. Supervising international cooperation in nuclear technology and ensuring that nuclear materials are not used for weapons proliferation are tasks of the IAEA. The headquarters are located in Vienna, Austria. -
Nuclear reactor development and safety
In the 1960s and 1970s, the development of nuclear reactors, especially PWR and BWR, was considerably increased. However, safety concerns increased, culminating in the Three Mile Island incident in 1979. This led to stricter regulations and improvements in safety, marking an era of expansion and attention to nuclear risks. -
Creation of boiling water reactors
Boiling water reactors (BWRs) heat water in the core, generating steam that is used to produce electricity. Unlike pressurized water reactors, water is allowed to boil inside the core. Although safety systems are in place, direct contact between steam and refrigerant can be considered a challenge. The first BWR was built in 1953 in Idaho and they are common in the United States and Japan. -
Chernobyl accident
The Chernobyl disaster occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine. During a poorly executed safety test at reactor number 4, an explosion occurred, releasing a large amount of radioactive material. Two workers were killed in the explosion and 29 firefighters died from acute radiation illness in the following weeks. Approximately 115,000 people were evacuated and a 30 kilometer exclusion zone was established. -
Better reactor designs
In the 2000s, new nuclear reactor designs were developed, including small modular reactors (SMR). These reactors are considered more compact and are characterized by their flexibility in construction and operation. Their modular design allows them to be factory manufactured and assembled on site, which can reduce construction costs and times. SMRs were also intended to improve safety and energy efficiency, better adapting to local needs and offering solutions for power supply in remote areas. -
Nuclear Reactors today
Current nuclear reactors include the most common ones, such as pressurized water reactors (PWR) and boiling water reactors (BWR). Small modular reactors (SMRs) are also being developed, which are compact and adaptable. Additionally, high temperature reactors (HTR) and fusion reactors are being investigated as clean energy sources. All of these reactors seek to improve efficiency, reduce nuclear waste and increase safety. -
Made by:
Cedillo Camacho Cristopher Evan Moreno Moo Fernando Gael -
References
- United Nations Foundation:
- Berridge, G. R. (2015). A History of Diplomacy. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Start of the Cold War:
- Gaddis, J. L. (2005). The Cold War: A New History. Penguin Press.
- Leffler, M. P., & Westad, O. A. (Eds.). (2010). The Cambridge History of the Cold War. Cambridge University Press.
- Marshall Plan:
- Dorman, J. (1993). The Marshall Plan: America, Britain and the Reconstruction of Western Europe, 1947-1952. Routledge.
- United Nations Foundation:
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References
- World War II:
- Keegan, J. (1990). The Second World War. Vintage Books.
- Hastings, M. (2011). Inferno: The World at War, 1939-1945. Knopf
- Holocaust:
- Friedländer, S. (1997). Nazi Germany and the Jews, 1933-1945. HarperCollins.
- Dawidowicz, L. S. (1975). The War Against the Jews, 1933-1945. Holt
- Atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki:
- Hersey, J. (1946). Hiroshima. Knopf.
- Alperovitz, G. (1995). The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb. Knopf
- World War II: