Transcript Atomic New Mexico/The Manhattan Project

Atomic New Mexico/The
Manhattan Project
Barrett Robinson
October 22, 2012
“When the nucleus of an atom is split or broken apart, energy is released. The process
begins when a slow-moving neutron is launched to split a uranium atom. Each split
uranium atom gives off three more neutrons plus two hydrogen atoms. These new
neutrons go on to split other uranium atoms. This happens over and over in what is
called a chain reaction” (Teacher Created Resources, Inc., The Manhattan Project)
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In 1939, the physicists in America and Germany were working on nuclear
fission, they were working on the components of a BOMB.
Albert Einstein was so worried about the Germans advancement in the
making of a bomb, he warned President Roosevelt.
President Roosevelt valued Einstein’s advice and he formed the top secret
Manhattan Project, in 1942.
The project responsibility was to build an atomic bomb, and to beat the
Germans in building the first atomic bomb.
There were three facilities used for the Manhattan Project.
Three Large Facilities
• Oak Ridge, Tennessee
This was a HUGE electromagnetic
processing plant.
This plant was to separate uranium 235 from
its common form of uranium 238
Hanford, Washington
• This was the home for nuclear reactions
which produced the first plutonium
• Uranium 235 and plutonium from
Hansford, Washington and Oak Ridge,
Tennessee was used to produce an atomic
explosion.
Los Alamos, New Mexico
• Remote site selected in New Mexico
chosen for research for the Manhattan
Project
• Many of the great scientific minds of the
world gathered in Los Alamos, New
Mexico to design and build the bomb.
Research Director
• Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer was involved
with the entire Manhattan Project
• After the bomb was made, he became an
advocate for nuclear arms control
Project Facilities Director
• General Leslie Groves
• He had experience in heading up big
projects—he was in charge of building the
Pentagon
Manhattan Project officials,
including Dr. J. Oppenheimer
(white hat) and General
Leslie Groves, inspect the
detonation site of the Trinity
atomic bomb test.
The Bomb
• The bomb was developed between 19421945
• The Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery
Site in the New Mexico desert was chosen
for the testing.
Controversy
• President Roosevelt in April, 1945
• The Manhattan Project was so “top secret”
that Vice-President Truman had to be told
about the project after he was sworn in as
the President of the United States.
• Germany had surrendered.
• Japan refused to surrender.
Testing of the Bomb
• Test was supposed to be held on July 6,
1945---had to be postponed because of
thunder showers. At 4:00am the weather
cleared and the scientists began to
prepare for the test.
• Dr. Oppenheimer named the test…
TRINITY
The Trinity testing was successful.
The first atomic bomb had been detonated.
The First Atomic Bomb had been
detonated.
Bomb’s nickname is “Gadget"
Resources for this presentation
• The Manhattan Project, Teacher Created
Resources, Inc. #2100 The Twentieth
Century,
http://www.teacherision.fen.com/tv/printabl
es/TCR/1576901009
• Weir, Terri: Teaching American History
Project Lesson: The Manhattan Project