This research paper is a description of the progression of the Manhattan Project, the undercover name for the building of the first atomic bomb by scientists.
Abstract This is a detailed study describing the progression of the Manhattan Project and the invention of the atomic bomb. The "Manhattan Project" was a code name given to the efforts and collaboration of many scientists to build the first atom bomb. The author sees two major challenges that faced the team of highly capable scientists. The first was the actual production of the atom bomb. This involved actually making innovative discoveries that would revolutionize war and change man's idea of war for good. The second involved all of the ethical debates on whether or not the bomb should have actually been used in warfare. The author concludes that the building of the atomic bomb proved to be the most pivotal advance seen by science up until the early twentieth century.
From the Paper "We have too many men of science, too few men of God. We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon of the Mount...The world has achieved brilliance without wisdom, power without conscience. Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living...? stated General Omar N. Bradley, Chief of Staff of the United States Army in 1948, voicing the opinion, shared by many of the time, towards the building of the atomic bomb. The "Manhattan Project" was a code name given to the efforts and collaboration of many scientists to build the first atom bomb. There were two major challenges that faced the team of highly capable scientists. The first was the actual production of the atom bomb. This involved actually making innovative discoveries that would revolutionize war and change man's idea of war for good. The second involved all of the ethical debates on whether or not the bomb should have actually been used in warfare. The project lasted from 1942-1946 and cost approximately 1.8 billion dollars, which is comparable to 20 billion dollars today. The building of the atomic bomb proved to be the most pivotal advance seen by science up until the early twentieth century."
Tags: Manhattan, Project, World, War, II, atomic, bomb, invention
Abstract The paper explains Bertrand Russel's theory of atomism, which emphasizes logical analysis and its consequences for metaphysics. The paper describes how Russel explains the structure of the external world and discusses how pluralism, rather than monism, is the logical force behind the philosophy. The paper also looks at the many arguments against Russell's theory of logical atomism.
Outline:
Introduction
The Structure of the World
Russell's Logical Atomism Logical Atomism - Realistically Logical?
Conclusion
From the Paper "Bertrand Russell, author of the theory of atomism, was a philosopher whose emphasis was primarily on logical analysis and its consequences for metaphysics. The traditional philosophical problem of the external world, which is based on the fact that external qualities can only be drawn inferentially, was explained by Russell (1910) as a distinction between "knowledge by acquaintance and knowledge by description" (Irvine, 2003). Russell's 1918 work on logical atomism was based on the argument that the world is comprised of logical atoms, which he described as "little patches of colour", and their properties (ibid). Together these properties, according to Russell, form the atomic facts which are thus combined to create logically complex objects. Therefore what is normally explained as inferred entities, such as enduring physical objects, are actually logical constructions created from immediate entities of sensation, which Russell identified as "sensibilia" (ibid)."
Abstract The paper gives a brief insight into atoms from the beginning of recognition of their existence by the ancient Greeks, to the ability today to create man-made ones. It discusses the chemical composition of atoms and how scientists can now predict their behavior with great accuracy.
From the Paper "According to existing theories and experimental results, the Big Bang took place about 12,000-15,000 million years ago. Within the first three minutes of the existence of the Universe, the light elements originated. Atoms came along after about 300,000 years and the stars and galaxies originated during the first million years. However, it took a while for humans to recognize atoms, although they were right before their eyes."
Tags: protons, electrons, neutrons, quantum, physics, nucleus, atomic, number
Abstract This paper suggests that the development of the atomic bomb is arguably the most important technical innovation of the twentieth century. The author explains the technical achievement of the atomic bomb. The paper examines some of its socio-cultural effects, namely creating a world in which the end of all human civilization became a real possibility.
From the Paper "There will be no argument that the 20th century had been characterized by incredible technical innovation and invention. Perhaps more so than any century previously, the 20th century was a particularly ripe period for technology. At a rapidly accelerating pace, it seemed that inventors were creating new technologies that were important - and seemingly indispensable - the world over. However, there was one specific technological development during the 20th century whose development should be understood as more important and influential than the rest."
Abstract This paper describes the atomic bombing of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. The writer gives statistics in order to highlight the devastation. Also included is an eye-witnesses' testimony. The paper concludes by posing moral questions about the bombing of innocent civilians.
From the Paper "It was on August 6th, in the year 1945, at 8.15 AM, Japanese time, that the United States of America dropped its first ever atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, so that its usefulness to the enemy could be completely destroyed. According to the then President of the United States, the bomb "...had more power than 20,000 tones of TNT ", and it was also infinitely more powerful than the blast power that the British Grand Slam, purportedly the largest bomb in the history of the world, had. The immediate and direct consequence of the bomb was that more than four square miles of the entire city of Hiroshima were completely and irrevocably destroyed, 66,000 people were killed instantaneously, and 69,000 more were seriously injured. Three days later, another atomic bomb, equally powerful, was dropped on the city of Nagasaki, Japan, and this bomb managed to destroy about 1.5 square miles of the city, and kill about 39,000 people, while injuring 25,000 more. The very next day, the Japanese government asked to surrender, under the 'Potsdam Declaration'. "
Tags: World, War, II, atomic, bomb, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Japan, surrender
Abstract The atom is the very smallest unit of matter or the smallest part of a chemical element that still contains all the parts of that element. Atoms are the very heart of our chemical elements, and harnessing the atom has been a long, historic process. This paper shows that atoms have been known about for a while in history, but it was not until the 20th century that scientists learned how to harness the power of the atom and use it effectively.
From the Paper "Today, scientists have uncovered much more information about the elements that make up the atom, including baryons, quarks, and antiparticles. Because we understand more about the composition of the atom, we can use it more effectively. For example, scientists often use protons in particle accelerators, (sometimes called "atom smashers"), which create beams of actively charged particles and then point them toward targets. The energy created by these accelerators help scientists study the nucleus of the atom, and create the nuclear energy that will create new particles."
Abstract This paper relates that the atomic bomb has dramatically changed the world we live in and will continue to strike fear into the every day lives of civilians. The paper asserts that the making of the atomic bomb was inevitable, but the use of the atomic bomb was a mistake that will never be forgotten. The paper goes on to say that the atomic bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 ended the bloodiest war in human history, but Japan was on the verge of surrendering anyway, so there was no military justification for the use of these horrific weapons. The writer concludes that if humanity fails to break free from the vicious cycle of wars, atomic bombs will be used again, life on earth will end someday in one final conflagration and the final page of human history will never be written because no one will be left alive to write it.
From the Paper "Despite the fact that most Americans in 1945 considered these atomic attacks fully justified and felt no remorse for the massive death and destruction inflicted upon Hiroshima and Nagasaki, most Americans today have very different attitudes about the atomic bombings, and feel regret, shame, and revulsion when they think about the atomic attacks. Most of them believe that although the making of the atomic bomb was inevitable, it was a mistake to use atomic bombs against Japan."
"The Manhattan Project was established early in World War II because it was learned that Nazi Germany was intent upon building an atomic bomb. This political factor, combined with the relentless advance of scientific discoveries, made the development of atomic weapons inevitable. Consequently, a race to develop atomic bombs began, for they would be the ultimate weapon and whichever nation possessed them would be impossible to defeat."
Abstract This paper explains that the scope of the effect the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki had on modern warfare and science technology is visible only when taking into account the intense scientific processes to create these weapons of mass destruction. The author points out that, at the dawn of World War II, Albert Einstein sent a letter to President Franklin. D. Roosevelt about Nazi Germany's efforts to purify uranium-235, which he warned could result in the building of an atomic bomb. The paper relates that, soon after this letter, the U.S. government started the Manhattan Project to develop the atomic bomb before the Germans. The author states that the bomb was tested successfully on July 1945 and, a month later, the first bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. The paper concludes that the atomic bomb was considered a "quick" and economical way to win the war; however, it was a cruel form of punishment for the Japanese citizens resulting in slow and painful deaths for many innocent Japanese. The paper includes graphs.
From the Paper "The most difficult part of the Manhattan Project was how to produce enough enriched Uranium to uphold a chain reaction. Uranium-235 was hard to extract. Only about 1/500th of Uranium ore mined ends up as Uranium metal. Of this metal, the fissionable isotope of Uranium is rare. Fissionable Uranium occurs at a ration of 1 to 139. Separating one part of Uranium-235 from 139 parts of Uranium-238 is challenging. Only mechanical methods could effectively separate the two. Scientists at Columbia University first figured out how. A facility to separate Uranium-235 was set up in Oak Ridge, Tennessee."
Abstract This paper examines the perspectives of both those who believe the US decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan was the correct decision and those who believe it was not. The paper first explains the perspective of supporters of this act in Japan who argue that use of the atomic bomb hastened the end of World War Two in Asia, which saved countless military and civilian lives. The paper then examines the perspective of others who argue that if any country other than the U.S. had dropped an atomic bomb, the American government would have accused these people of war crimes. The paper also considers the argument that the bombs' destructive force could have been demonstrated without taking so many Japanese civilian lives. The writer offers a personal opinion that this was a cowardly attack, as it wiped out entire cities of people who did not have anything to do with the war. The writer concludes that the atomic bomb may have ended the war earlier than expected, but it also introduced the world to one of the most horrific methods of warfare, which is something that can never be taken back.
From the Paper "The use of atomic bombs during World War Two is one of the most debated topics in history. These types of weapons had never been used before and they were seen as being particularly brutal. When the United States decided to bomb Japan in retaliation for the attacks on Pearl Harbor, the face of warfare was changed forever. With this new method, a single bomb could wipe out an entire city, killing all of the inhabitants at once. Furthermore, those who survived the initial blast would often wish that they did not, as radiation from the bomb caused cancer in many people, killing them in the years following the war. Since this time, many different countries have successfully developed their own versions of this weapon of mass destruction, which has led to many problems all over the globe."
Tags: World, War, Two, civilians, destruction, radiation, warfare
Abstract In this article, the writer introduces, discusses and analyzes the topic of the atomic bomb in U.S. history. Specifically, the writer analyzes the impact of the atomic bomb on American politics and culture in the decade-and-a-half after the explosion of the first Atomic weapon over Hiroshima. The writer notes that it changed the status of the United States in global politics and that it helped create the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Further the writer points out that it changed American culture almost overnight. The writer maintains that American politics would never be the same after the bombs exploded over Japan and notes that the threat of nuclear war still hangs over the globe today.
From the Paper "Magazines published graphic drawings of what to do in case of a nuclear attack, including the proper attire to protect from the "heat flash." While many things were changing in American culture, the roles of men and women were still quite distinct. Women had certain roles to fulfill in Civil Defense, such as hospital or medical work, driving cars, and childcare. Men, however, were more apt to serve as fire fighters, volunteer police, air-raid wardens, and rebuilding after an attack. As the country returned to normal after the war, women stayed home to raise the family, while men went off to work. It would take more than atomic bombs to change the acceptable roles women held in society, and it would not happen in the two decades following the bombing of Japan."
Abstract This paper summarizes and reviews "The Atomic Cafe", a documentary on the atomic bomb and the views that the American government and citizens had in the atomic-war era of the 1940s and 1950s. The author describes how the documentary cleverly reveals evidence the U.S government falsified the effects of the bomb and communicated misinformation to its often ignorant citizens. The paper praises how the film truly depicts the mentality of the people at the time and the paranoia and the propaganda that the American government was spreading to its people during the Cold War.
From the Paper "If one seeks perspective on the Cold War from America's point of view, The Atomic Cafe accurately portrays its subject matter, the atomic bomb, as viewed by its government and citizens in the atomic-war era of the 1940's and 1950's. The documentary brilliantly reveals the United States' government propaganda and ignorance of the American citizens in association with the early days of the atomic bomb. From falsifying the effects of the bomb, praising god repeatedly in support of the technology, to absurd ways of protecting yourself against an atomic war, the American government successfully communicated misinformation and received the paranoid response from its people it was looking for."
Abstract This paper discusses influencing factors on the decision to send atomic bombs on Japan during WWII. The author argues that atomic bombs used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were essential for America to win WWII.
From the Paper "The peaceful town of Hiroshima, Japan was beginning its day on the morning of August 6, 1945. Many Japanese were going to work or still in bed. The streets were bustling with bicycles. All at once, a flash of light was seen in the air. A deafening roar and fire hotter that the sun's surface. "Little Boy" exploded with the strength of twenty million tons of dynamite. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan were necessary for the Allies to win the Second World War, according to their terms of unconditional surrender of Japan. In order to determine this, one must observe: One, the German Nazi's example to Japan; two, the strife between Japan and the Allies; and three, the arguments given by Secretary of War Harry L. Stimson."
Abstract This essay explains the basis of Quantum Mechanic Theory of the atom, which describes the behavior of electrons in atoms & molecules. The author examines this theory and provides a detailed analysis of it.
From the Paper "The Quantum Mechanics Theory describes the behavior of electrons in atoms & molecules. Quantum Mechanics is also referred to as Wave Mechanics. The theory of quantum mechanics tells us that in the atom, electron waves are standing waves. This theory was devised by Max Planck in 1901. He stated that light is emitted by the atoms of a luminous body in separate packets or bundles of energy called quanta or photons. One or more of the electrons revolving about the nucleus of an atom can be made to jump from one orbit to another. As they do so one or more photons are emitted. This energy radiates from the luminous body as electromagnetic waves. The energy content of a photon determines the length and frequency of the wave. Wave mechanics views the probability of finding an electron at a given point in space."
Abstract This paper looks at the ethical debate that surrounded the development of the atomic bomb in the United States, and whether its development sparked the threat of atomic war today. The author discusses the events that led up to America dropping two bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and how Presidents Roosevelt and Truman regarded the Manhattan Project and its consequences.
From the Paper "
When American scientists began their studies of nuclear energy in 1939, their funding was minimal. When these scientists realized the potential their studies would have on warfare, and contacted the United States government, their minimally funded program turned into the two billion dollar Manhattan Project. With German scientists already on the same track, the United States government realized that the outcome of World War II might well depend on which country could develop the atomic bomb first. There was no question that the atomic bomb would be developed, the only question was who would develop it first."
Abstract The dropping of the atom bomb on two Japanese cities after it attacked Pearl Harbour during World War II brought this war to an end. This paper discusses the use of the Atom bomb against Japan. The writer explores the events leading to the dropping of the A bomb and the reasons it was used. The lessons that were learned as well as the fallout from the bomb are also discussed.
From the Paper "The United State dropped a bomb that it knew would change the face of war forever. It had been working on its release and had only recently begun to fully realize the impact that an attack with one would have. The benefits of dropping the bomb were several layers deep. The cost of dropping a atomic bomb were far less costly then sending in many troops. The cost of lost service men to war as well as the cost of the ammunition and caring for them while they were overseas was far more expensive than dropping a couple of atomic bombs instead."