The beginning of the atomic bomb 1 . What is an atomic bomb? Answer: The atomic bomb is an explosive force from the release of nuclear energy through the splitting of heavy atomic nucleai. 2 . What was the importance of the atomic bomb? Answer: The atomic bomb was very powerful. It could destroy large cities in a single blast and would change warfare forever.
3 . Why did the making of the atomic bomb happen and when did it start? Answer: It all began in 1940, 2 years after German Scientists named Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassman discovered nuclear fission.
4 . When and where was the first atomic bomb made? Answer: The first atomic bomb was made at Los Alamos, the culmination of a large U.S army program that was part of the Manhattan Project, which was lead by Dr. Robert Oppenheimer.
5 . How did the making of the atomic bomb begin in the U.S? Answer: Albert Einstein realized that such a bomb could be made and was frightened about what might happen if Hitler and the Nazis learned how to make one first. He wrote a letter to FDR explaining to him about the bomb. Thus, the Manhattan Project was born.
6 . Where was the first atomic bomb used at? Answer: On July 16 1945, the first atomic bomb was exploded in the New Mexico desert. The explosion was massive and was equivalent to 18,000 tons of TNT. Scientists figured that the temperature of the center of the explosion was 3 times hotter than the center of the sun! Although scientists were happy, they were also very sad and fearful. This bomb would change the world and cause mass destruction and death. When Pres. Truman heard about the success he wrote, "We have discovered the most terrible bomb in the history of the world."