The Manhattan Project: Robert Oppenheimer And The Atomic Bomb

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The Manhattan Project began in 1942 as a response to the growing force of Germany’s own nuclear weapons. With the start of this project, led by Robert Oppenheimer and General Leslie R. Groves, the United States would begin to create its first arsenal of nuclear weapons. To help achieve this goal, renowned scientists and theoretical physicists were recruited, such as Albert Einstein and Enrico Fermi. Main research facilities were constructed in Oak Ridge Tennessee; Hanford, Washington; and Los Alamos, New Mexico. All of these locations had the responsibility of containing and monitoring the nuclear weapons and chemicals. By the end of the program in 1946, the project had cost over two billion dollars. The Manhattan Project left behind cases …show more content…

“The scientists working on this project had one goal: developing an atomic super weapon that would help the U.S. secure victory over the Axis powers during World War II” (Articles Master of Arts in Military History). Amongst these remarkably talented scientist and physicists were J. Robert Oppenheimer, Hans Bethe, and Ernest O. Lawrence. Oppenheimer also known as, “the father of the atomic bomb,” is well known for pioneering the Manhattan Project. As a result of Oppenheimer’s ingenious capabilities he was able to make significant contributions to the secret project. Oppenheimer completed various developments which resulted in the atomic bomb’s overall efficiency (Articles Master of Arts in Military History). Hans Bethe, a German-American nuclear physicist, was a crucial figure throughout the creation of the bombs. He’s credited with the assistance of discovering complicated formulas used for the creation of these dangerous weapons. Additionally, Bethe made noteworthy additions to the theory of nuclear reactions such as, the discovery of fission. Ernest O. Lawrence, an American nuclear physicist, is noted with the invention and development of artificial radioactive elements and the cyclotron, which proved to be detrimental in the Manhattan Projects success. Ten years later in 1939, Lawrence’s creation of the cyclotron resulted in him being …show more content…

to help complete the job. In the research facilities, the staff worked around the clock studying chemicals and the atoms that composed them. The main focus was on uranium, plutonium, and polonium. As the extensive research continued, scientist were discovering new concepts about the atoms and their values. In 1943, the Quebec Agreement was signed, creating a partnership between the U.S, the United Kingdom, and Canada (Roosevelt). The research and development of atomic bombs progressed quickly as there was a “full and effective interchange of information and ideas” between the countries (Roosevelt). Additionally, the study of atomic energy led to a new form of physics, known as health physics. The new form was discovered after many of the workers spent long periods of time with radiation and nuclear weapons, the time spent around these chemicals caused them to become ill. This study focused on understanding radiation effects, monitoring it, and how to protect the workers’ health. All of these studies can still be applied to today’s methods of dealing with nuclear

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