Atomic Energy: Harnessing the Atom
New inventions are created daily; however, it is those that truly change the world that are remembered. The use and discovery of atomic energy negatively impacts the world because of the danger it entails. Many people across the world believe that the use of atomic energy is a mistake based off of past events that have occurred such as the bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The abuse of atomic energy has been proven to damage society’s morale, population and could potentially destroy entire populations.
Scientists from earlier times helped influence the discoveries that lead to the development of atomic energy. In the late 1800’s, Dalton created the Atomic Theory which explains atoms, elements and compounds (Henderson 1). This was important to the study of and understanding of atoms to future scientists. The Atomic Theory was a list of scientific laws regarding atoms and their potential abilities. Roentagen, used Dalton’s findings and discovered x-rays which could pass through solid objects (Henderson 1). Although he did not discover radiation from the x-rays, he did help lay the foundations for electromagnetic waves. Shortly after Roentagen’s findings, J.J. Thompson discovered the electron which was responsible for defining the atom’s characteristics (Henderson 2). The electron helped scientists uncover why an atom responds to reactions the way it does and how it received its “personality”. Dalton’s, Roentagen’s and Thompson’s findings helped guide other scientists to discovering the uses of atomic energy and reactions. Such applications were discovered in the early 1900’s by using Einstein’s equation, which stated that if a chain reaction occurred, cheap, reliable energy could b...
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... Scientists were unaware of the damage it would cause, and afterwards, many were driven to feel guilty. Atomic energy has truly changed the world for the worse. Not only was atomic energy dangerous in the past, but currently, as improvements are being made to fission and fusion of an atom, the risk of destroying the world is increasing.
Works Cited
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Scherer, Glenn, and Marty Flecther. J. Robert Oppenheimer the Brain Behind the Bomb. New Jersey: Enslow Publishers, 2008.
"The Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima." The Manhattan Project An Interactive History. Department of Energy. 7 February 2010. .
Miles, Rufus E. Jr. “Hiroshima: The Strange Myth of Half a Million American Lives Saved.” International Security (1985): 121-140.
Van Rhyn, Mark. "Bombing of Nagasaki: World War II." World at War: Understanding Conflict and Society. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 25 Jan. 2014.
3. Leckie, Robert. "132. Nagasaki and the Surrender of Japan." Delivered from Evil: The Saga of World War II. New York: Harper & Row, 1987. 942-946. Print.
Although the atomic theory was developed in increments, George Johnston Stoney is most famous for contributing the term electron: fundamental unit quantity of electricity. Stoney would develop the concept fourteen years before he coined the term electron. He also made contributions to the theory of gasses, cosmic physics, and estimated the number of molecules in a cubic millimeter of gas.
One of the largest social impacts of the atomic bomb is that the atomic bomb instills fear into people for nuclear explosion and war. Before the first atomic bomb was dropped, a typical war meant that the people feared for casualty, physical pain and loss of love ones. With the new age of the atomic bomb, every coming war has a potential to become a nuclear war, and a nuclear war brings a new type of fear. This new fear is the fear of the end of the world and humankind.
“The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.” Calliope. 01 May. 2011: 13. eLibrary. Web. 28 Feb. 2014.
In 1945 when president Harry Truman heard about the successful testing of the atomic bomb, he thought “ We have discovered the worst bomb on earth.” ( Barrett The Bomb) which shows how terrible and destructive this force really is. The atom bomb has killed many millions of people and has not helped this world very much at all.
Only two nuclear weapons have been detonated in human history, however their development and use have greatly influenced our culture. In the opening paragraph of Paul Brains' article, in which he discusses nuclear warfare in science fiction, he summarizes public opinion of atomic energy during the 1950s succinctly and accurately. He states: “Atomic energy, in other words, is both alpha and omega; it offers both Armageddon and immortality.” (253). The dichotomous view of atomic energy that Brains discusses is one of several cultural splits in perception reflected in Bradbury's story “There Will Come Soft Rains.” The story was also influenced by the time period, rapid advances in technology, Bradbury’s perception of himself as a writer, and science fiction community’s perception of the atomic bomb.
The atomic bomb created under the Manhattan Project set a new level of psychological panic. It influence media, government, and daily lives of those all around the world. The media was covering stories about protection from a nuclear attack and the government was right next to the reporters helping to further the creation of fear with their messages about preparation.
in the eyes of many, is as risky and potentially hazardous as atomic energy: it
On August 6, 1945 the city of Hiroshima was destroyed by the first atomic bomb used in warfare. The atomic bomb was an instrument of destruction which could of and has led to the end of mankind. Since the beginning of human life' with Adam and Eve thirst for knowledge has increase. At various points of time in history, knowledge was gained too fast and too powerful. This was one of those times that humans gained too much knowledge, too fast. Einstein, the greatest scientist that ever lived, had figure out the theorems for an atomic bomb all he needed was someone one that would help him make it. America did this knowing that the Germans might have already started. Before they had even time to test it, America let loose this bomb of devastation. The bomb would kill thousands directly and millions indirectly. The bomb would lead to the nuclear science. The bombs now a day (bombs with that could 3 times more powerful than the atomic bomb') could have never come to existence with out the atomic bomb'.
Thousands of lives were lost due to the war. Many argue that the end of the war could have been achieved without the use of the atomic bomb, while others believe that the use of this weapon created more opportunities for the United States, including more scientific knowledge. However, the deaths resulting from the weapons used is still quite unbelievable, knowing that lives could have been saved if the bombs were never used or produced. In 70 scientists’ “Petition to the President of the United States,” sentence three, paragraph seven it states, “Thus a nation which sets the precedent of using these newly liberated forces of nature for purposes of destruction may have to bear the responsibility of opening the door to an era of devastation on an unimaginable scale.”(“Petition to the President”, 29). This quote explains how many believed that the use of this weapon was the beginning of a journey towards destruction, otherwise known as the cold war. The effect of these weapons did result in different views explaining how the bombs destroyed the beginning to a great generation, while others believed that this is where it all began. The drop of the atomic bomb did provide a new perspective to science and technology. Without the atomic bomb, humanity would not be as
Why is the Atomic Bomb one of the most important inventions created in the United States? According to research, the atomic bomb is considered an essential invention to have in a country due to its destructive power created by the fission of either plutonium or uranium. Countries across the world would use the atomic device against other countries in order to make advancements. The first atomic weapons that were built for warfare was known as the Little Boy and Fat Man. United States is the first country in history today to ever use the atomic bomb against another country, specifically in Japan on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Although the atomic bomb was well known for its destructive power, it also made significant social, economic, and ecological impact to the world. Additionally, even though the atomic bomb ended wars, it still, however, struck fear in peoples' hearts due to its radiation and destructive effects. United States invested billions of dollars on the development of the atomic bomb, which would be later known as the Manhattan Project. One of the long term effects of the atomic bomb was that it caused the nuclear arms race during the Cold War. This case study will first discuss why scientists developed the atomic bomb. Secondly, this paper will discuss the engineering of the atomic bomb and the problems that builders had while building it. Finally, this paper will compose of the financial, social, and economic effect of the atomic bomb.
With combined years of experience and study of atomic power the scientists not only had inside knowledge about the long-term damage that atomic bombs can cause, but they also knew the repercussions that could follow. The scientists feared that “Once they were introduced as an instrument of war it would be difficult to resist for long the temptation of putting them to such use.” (Szilard). By using this type of persuasion by rationale, the scientists aimed to stop America from unleashing a super
...dropped the first atomic bomb onto humans and destroying their lives before the first nuclear power plant, which came out 15 years later to provide electrical energy to the public. Despite being redeemed by the efficiency of nuclear power plant, nuclear science once again being criticized, when in 1986, Chernobyl, Ukraine, an explosion occurred in the nuclear power plant which is one of the most devastating accidents to ever happen in human history. There isn’t much accidents after Chernobyl, but the damage that it caused still have an effect on that land and currently is still inhospitable. Nobody in this world can deny that modern nuclear physics is an accomplishment that shows how capable humans can be, but with the risk and the danger it has, it is better that we leave nuclear science just be and continue to discover other avenues for the safety of human beings.