atomic bomb definition history

Nuclear weapon, device designed to release energy in an explosive manner as a result of nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, or a combination of the two processes. Convection currents created by the explosion suck dust and other ground materials up into the fireball, creating the characteristic mushroom-shaped cloud of an atomic explosion. Such a blast wave can destroy buildings for several miles from the location of the burst. The first test of the atomic bomb took place on July 16 th, 1945 in New Mexico. Fission occurs when a neutron strikes the nucleus of either isotope, splitting the nucleus into fragments and releasing a tremendous amount of energy. Uranium was discovered in 1789 by Martin Klaproth, a German chemist, and named after the planet Uranus. An estimated 39,000 people were killed by the atomic bomb, of whom 23,145–28,113 were Japanese factory workers, 2,000 were Korean slave laborers, and 150 were Japanese combatants. Teacher Notes. The atomic bomb also emerged in comic books. Learn a new word every day. A nuclear explosion is an explosion that occurs as a result of the rapid release of energy from a high-speed nuclear reaction.The driving reaction may be nuclear fission or nuclear fusion or a multi-stage cascading combination of the two, though to date all fusion-based weapons have used a fission device to initiate fusion, and a pure fusion weapon remains a hypothetical device. What does atomic bomb mean? When a free neutron hits the nucleus of a fissile atom like uranium-235 ( 235 U), the uranium splits into two smaller … Meanwhile, as more and more planes were shot down, both sides began adopting a policy of night raids, which, while less accurate, were safer for bomb crews. Many isotopes of uranium can undergo fission, but uranium-235, which is found naturally at a ratio of about one part per every 139 parts of the isotope uranium-238, undergoes fission more readily and emits more neutrons per fission than other such isotopes. Nuclear weapons possess enormous destructive power from nuclear fission or combined fission and fusion reactions. A gigantic mushroom cloud rising above Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945, after a U.S. aircraft dropped an atomic bomb on the city, immediately killing more than 70,000 people. A small nuclear bomb is capable of devastating an entire city with its blast, its fire, and the radiation caused by the blast. On August 6, 1945, the United States exploded an atomic bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Atomic bomb, also called atom bomb, weapon with great explosive power that results from the sudden release of energy upon the splitting, or fission, of the nuclei of a heavy element such as plutonium or uranium. Delivered to your inbox! a bomb whose explosive force comes from a chain reaction based on nuclear fission in U-235 or plutonium. The United States remains the only nation to have ever used nuclear weapons, and has never again resorted to them, despite subsequent wars. Atomic bombs are made up of a fissile element, such as uranium, that is enriched in the isotope that can sustain a fission nuclear chain reaction. Any bomb that uses tiny reactions inside the nucleus of a microscopic atom is, by definition, a “nuclear bomb”. Atomic diplomacy refers to attempts to use the threat of nuclear warfare to achieve diplomatic goals. Early Life and Education Oppenheimer was born on … See more. The detonation of an atomic bomb releases enormous amounts of thermal energy, or heat, achieving temperatures of several million degrees in the exploding bomb itself. The decision to employ atomic weapons against Japan remains a controversial chapter in American history. President Truman authorized their use to force Japan's surrender during World War II. When a neutron strikes the nucleus of an atom of the isotopes uranium-235 or plutonium-239, it causes that nucleus to split into two fragments, each of which is a nucleus with about half the protons and neutrons of the original nucleus. Under certain conditions, the escaping neutrons strike and thus fission more of the surrounding uranium nuclei, which then emit more neutrons that split still more nuclei. Atomic bomb, also called atom bomb, weapon with great explosive power that results from the sudden release of energy upon the splitting, or fission, of the nuclei of … This is known as a chai… Send us feedback. Then in 1896 Henri Becquerel found that pitchblende (an ore containing radium and uranium) caused a photographic plate to darken. Atom-bomb definition, to bomb (a target) with an atomic bomb. n. ... A hole in history: America suppresses the truth about Hiroshima. Atomic bombs are classified as Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), a special category of weaponry considered by much of the civilized world to be especially cruel and inhumane, because of the sheer number of deaths they can cause, because they … Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Yamaguchi wandered in a daze toward what remained of the Mitsubishi shipyard. Summary and Definition: The Atomic Bomb is a nuclear weapon that suddenly releases the energy in the nucleus of certain types of atoms in the form of a nuclear explosion that has the power to destroy a city and kill every person in it. A second method used is that of implosion, in which a core of fissionable material is suddenly compressed into a smaller size and thus a greater density; because it is denser, the nuclei are more tightly packed and the chances of an emitted neutron’s striking a nucleus are increased. After spending a restless night in an air raid shelter, the men awoke on August 7 and made their way toward the train station, which they had heard was somehow still operating. The radioactive contaminants include such long-lived radioisotopes as strontium-90 and plutonium-239; even limited exposure to the fallout in the first few weeks after the explosion may be lethal, and any exposure increases the risk of developing cancer. The story of the atomic bomb started around the turn of the century when a small number of physicists began to think about, discuss, and publish papers about the phenomenon of radioactivity, the behavior of alpha particles, and the properties of various materials when irradiated. Their secret endeavor, which lasted from 1942 to 1945, was known as the Manhattan Project. Atomic bomb definition is - a bomb whose violent explosive power is due to the sudden release of energy resulting from the splitting of nuclei of a heavy chemical element (such as plutonium or uranium) by neutrons in a very rapid chain reaction —called also atom bomb. Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words? By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. See the full definition for atomic bomb in the English Language Learners Dictionary, Nglish: Translation of atomic bomb for Spanish Speakers, Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about atomic bomb. On August 6, 1945, during World War II (1939-45), an American B-29 bomber dropped the world’s first deployed atomic bomb over the Japanese city of … The “Father of the Atomic Bomb” died from cancer at the age of 62 in Princeton, New Jersey in 1967. The Manhattan Project developed two types of nuclear bombs, although history of the atomic bomb precedes 1945. Atomic Diplomacy. Fission weapons are commonly referred to … After the first successful test of the atomic bomb in 1945, U.S. officials immediately considered the potential non-military benefits that could be derived from the American nuclear monopoly. Corrections? Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. In the process of splitting, a great amount of thermal energy, as well as gamma rays and two or more neutrons, is released. Ionising radiation was discovered by Wilhelm Rontgen in 1895, by passing an electric current through an evacuated glass tube and producing continuous X-rays. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. When President Harry Truman heard of the bomb's success he wrote "We have discovered the most terrible bomb in the history of the world". Have you ever wondered about these lines? Manhattan District The Trinity test of the Manhattan Project on 16 July 1945 was the first detonation of a nuclear weapon. Large quantities of neutrons and gamma rays are also emitted; this lethal radiation decreases rapidly over 1.5 to 3 km (1 to 2 miles) from the burst. One way this can be done is to bring two subcritical masses together, at which point their combined mass becomes a critical one. Building on scientific breakthroughs made during the 1930s, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and free France collaborated during World War II, in what was called the Manhattan Project, to build a fission weapon, also known as an atomic bomb. 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'. These are the primary fissionable materials used in atomic bombs. An atomic bomb is a weapon that gets its power from either splitting apart atomic nuclei (fission) or from forcing them together (fusion). Information and translations of atomic bomb in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. During World War II, the United States, Germany, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain were researching designs of an atomic bomb for use as the “ultimate weapon.” By 1945, however, only the United States developed a working bomb. In addition, “boosted fission” devices incorporate such fusionable materials as deuterium or tritium into the fission core. Updates? The detonation also immediately produces a strong shock wave that propagates outward from the blast to distances of several miles, gradually losing its force along the way. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! What made you want to look up atomic bomb? Materials vaporized in the fireball condense to fine particles, and this radioactive debris, referred to as fallout, is carried by the winds in the troposphere or stratosphere. A small amount of uranium-235, say 0.45 kg (1 pound), cannot undergo a chain reaction and is thus termed a subcritical mass; this is because, on average, the neutrons released by a fission are likely to leave the assembly without striking another nucleus and causing it to fission. The Atomic Bomb was developed during WW2 by scientists working on the top secret Manhattan Project. A nuclear weapon (also called an atom bomb, nuke, atomic bomb, nuclear warhead, A-bomb, or nuclear bomb) is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission (fission bomb) or from a combination of fission and fusion reactions (thermonuclear bomb). When completely fissioned, 1 kg (2.2 pounds) of uranium-235 releases the energy equivalently produced by 17,000 tons, or 17 kilotons, of TNT. Nagasaki definition, a seaport on W Kyushu, in SW Japan: second military use of the atomic bomb August 9, 1945. “Atomic bomb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atomic%20bomb. This can be practically achieved by using high explosives to shoot two subcritical slugs of fissionable material together in a hollow tube. He becomes “Atomic Man,” a human atomic bomb, and proclaims, “I could use my power to crush every evil influence in the world” (Szasz 52). atomic bomb synonyms, atomic bomb pronunciation, atomic bomb translation, English dictionary definition of atomic bomb. Omissions? In practice, an assembly of fissionable material must be brought from a subcritical to a critical state extremely suddenly. The core of an implosion-type atomic bomb consists of a sphere or a series of concentric shells of fissionable material surrounded by a jacket of high explosives, which, being simultaneously detonated, implode the fissionable material under enormous pressures into a denser mass that immediately achieves criticality. Build a city of skyscrapers—one synonym at a time. However, the first nuclear bombs were much simpler than today’s bombs, which use multiple steps to produce their large explosions. This thermal energy creates a large fireball, the heat of which can ignite ground fires that can incinerate an entire small city. The first atomic bomb was detonated on July 16, 1945, in New Mexico as part of the U.S. government program called the Manhattan Project. Fission releases an enormous amount of energy relative to the material involved. The journey took them through a nightmarish landscape of still-flickering fires… The first atomic bomb test, near Alamogordo, New Mexico, July 16, 1945. If more uranium-235 is added to the assemblage, the chances that one of the released neutrons will cause another fission are increased, since the escaping neutrons must traverse more uranium nuclei and the chances are greater that one of them will bump into another nucleus and split it. Even before the new President Harry S. Truman finalized his decision to use the bombs, members of the President’s inner circle grappled with the specifics of … Students could write a series of haiku poems (5-7-5 syllables) justifying or challenging the dropping of the Atomic bombs on Japan, or discussing the effects of the bombs. Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way. Some are talking about making the political decision to walk out of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and manufacture an, In the West, Fakhrizadeh was commonly referred to as Iran's Robert Oppenheimer, the American scientist who helped develop the, The Trump administration has compared Operation Warp Speed's program to the notoriously secret government project to make the first, Fakhrizadeh, who was around sixty and had a graying beard, and also a bit of a paunch, has often been compared to J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of America’s, But analysts have said Fakhrizadeh is on par with Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist who led the Manhattan Project to develop the, Fakhrizadeh has long been suspected by the West of having masterminded a covert, Post the Definition of atomic bomb to Facebook, Share the Definition of atomic bomb on Twitter. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). An important aid in achieving criticality is the use of a tamper; this is a jacket of beryllium oxide or some other substance surrounding the fissionable material and reflecting some of the escaping neutrons back into the fissionable material, where they can thus cause more fissions. Plutonium-239 has these same qualities. There, he found his coworkers Akira Iwanaga and Kuniyoshi Sato, both of whom had survived the blast. The fusionable material boosts the fission explosion by supplying a superabundance of neutrons. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'atomic bomb.' The first atomic bombs were used in August of 1945. See more. In November/December 1945, Headline Comics created a series centered around Adam Mann, who accidentally ingests heavy water with U-235 in it. An atomic bomb gains its destructive force from a nuclear reaction, essentially the release of mass energy from small amounts of matter. He went on to demonstrate that this was due to beta radiation (electrons) and alpha particles (helium nuclei) bei… 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? The harmful effects of radiation from nuclear bombing. This bomb would change the world and could cause mass destruction and death. The mushroom cloud of the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan on August 9, 1945, rose over 18 kilometres (11 mi) above the bomb's hypocenter. Sequence of events in the fission of a uranium nucleus by a neutron. The properties and effects of atomic bombs, Development and proliferation of atomic bombs, https://www.britannica.com/technology/atomic-bomb, Atomic Heritage Foundation - Science Behind the Atom Bomb, Public Broadcasting Service - American Experience - Race for the Superbomb: People, Events, Maps, Timeline and More, Public Broadcasting Service - A Science Odyssey - The First Atomic Bomb is Detonated. The three most common fission bomb designs, which vary considerably in material and arrangement. Discover more about the first atomic bombs tested and used during World War II The first atomic bomb was detonated on July 16, 1945, in New Mexico as part of the U.S. government program called the Manhattan Project. The fission process becomes self-sustaining as neutrons produced by the splitting of atom strike nearby nuclei and produce more fission. The text for this page was adapted from, and portions were taken directly from the Office of History and Heritage Resources publication: F. G. Gosling, The Manhattan Project: Making the Atomic Bomb (DOE/MA-0001; Washington: History Division, Department of Energy, January 1999), 1-2. Meaning of atomic bomb. Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). The two bombings killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of whom were civilians, and remain the only use of nuclear weapons in armed conflict. The United States detonated two nuclear weaponsover the Japanese cities of Hiroshimaand Nagasakion August 6 and 9, 1945, respectively. The United States then used atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan on August 6 and 9, respectively, killing about 210,000 people. noun a bomb whose potency is derived from nuclear fission of atoms of fissionable material with the consequent conversion of part of their mass into energy. The isotopes uranium-235 and plutonium-239 were selected by the atomic scientists because they readily undergo fission. Define atomic bomb. The most-significant episode of strategic bombing during World War II was the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. German scientists almost developed the first nuclear weapon, but the United States achieved it first. Definition of atomic bomb in the Definitions.net dictionary. He's making a quiz, and checking it twice... Test your knowledge of the words of the year. The effort led to the invention of atomic bombs, including the two that were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing or injuring over 200,000 people. At the point at which one of the neutrons produced by a fission will on average create another fission, critical mass has been achieved, and a chain reaction and thus an atomic explosion will result. Accessed 29 Dec. 2020. This series of rapidly multiplying fissions culminates in a chain reaction in which nearly all the fissionable material is consumed, in the process generating the explosion of what is known as an atomic bomb. Today’S bombs, although history of the word 'atomic bomb. tiny reactions inside the nucleus into fragments releasing. 1789 by Martin Klaproth, a seaport on W Kyushu, in SW Japan: second use! The fission explosion by supplying a superabundance of neutrons whom had survived the blast fission releases an enormous of... 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