Oppeneheimer_The science which led to the destruction of the world

What is an atom?

An atom is a matter particle that defines a chemical element. An atom is composed of three microscopic particles known as subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. The nucleus of the atom is made up of protons and neutrons, while electrons fly around in a tiny cloud above the nucleus. Electrons have a negative charge, while protons have a positive charge. The number of protons and electrons in a normal (neutral) atom are equal. The number of neutrons is frequently, but not always, the same.

What if an atom has too many neutrons?

It will become unstable. It is because neutrons, although being particles, contribute in keeping the nucleus together despite the more protons. The nuclear binding energy, or the energy necessary to separate neutrons and protons, increases with the number of neutrons in a nucleus.

According to an article published by Riken, nuclear physicists are captivated by so-called 'exotic' nuclei (an atom with many neutrons), which are constantly on the verge of breaking apart due to an excess of, or a scarcity of, neutrons. However, studying them is difficult since unusual nuclei are extremely difficult to create and have a very short lifetime.

The Radioactive element

These unstable elements of atomic nuclei with excess nuclear charge will produce an impulsive release of radiation. The unstable elements release radiation to achieve stability. The three types of radiation emitted by these elements are alpha particles ( a substance equal to the nucleus of Helium is emitted) , beta particles (positrons are emitted), and gamma rays.

Nuclear Fission

Now let’s do the opposite ( cause why not?)

Let's take an already unstable element like Uranium and bombard it with a tiny neutron.

That tiny thing makes the entire atom fall apart, the Uranium nucleus splits into two. This splitting in turn releases more neutrons which go and bombards the neighboring uranium nucleus causing a chain reaction. The process of splitting releases a lot of energy.

Why is this energy released?

It finally led me to rely on the research of international tongue model, Albert Einstein.

E = mc ^2

This in short shows the relation between Energy and Mass. Mass is described to be 'congealed' energy. Thus, each body of rest mass m possesses mc2 of “rest energy,” which potentially is available for conversion to other forms of energy. This is the energy capitalized in nuclear reactors and of course (drum roll please) atomic bombs.

This is what Oppenheimer did.

Yup, I am referring to the movie about ‘ The destroyer of the worlds’ guy

Oppenheimer in the Manhattan project in the view of saving his country ended up giving a weapon which could destroy the world.

If you have seen the movie you probably know his life story and the origin of the bomb. In this post we are going to focus on its effects because that's the real part which is valid even for the present. Which could happen even now.

The Hiroshima - Nagasaki Incident

It is very important to understand how powerful and dangerous a nuclear bomb can be ( and the reasons why the world is a better place without it).

World war 2 ended with the release of two atomic bombs 'little boy' (ironic isn't it?) and 'fat boy' over the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki respectively.

By the end of 1945, the bombing had killed an estimated 140,000 people in Hiroshima, and a further 74,000 in Nagasaki. In the years that followed, many of the survivors would face leukemia, cancer, or other terrible side effects from the radiation.

Lakhs of people, common citizens, families and children who had no say or relation whatsoever in the world war, whose only sin was to have been living in those cities, with a particular nationality - succumbed to death.

If a nuclear weapon were to be detonated over a city today, first responders - hospitals, firemen, aid organizations - would simply be unable to help. This is what happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In Hiroshima 90 per cent of physicians and nurses were killed or injured; 42 of 45 hospitals were rendered non-functional; and 70 percent of victims had combined injuries including, in most cases, severe burns. Many suffered to death because no one could help.

The people with the knowledge or power to help died due to the impact, the people who tried entering from out , died from radiation.

(The Americans really presented a checkmate, didn't they)

It takes around 10 seconds for the fireball from a nuclear explosion to reach its maximum size, but the effects last for decades and span across generations.

And for all survivors, cancers related to radiation exposure still continue to increase throughout their lifespan, even to this day, seven decades later.

This is why Nuclear weapons should be banned and abolished in all countries. 10 seconds is the time it takes for a bomb to explode, killing lakhs of people ,destroying the lives of a million more.

If world governments don't understand the value of a human life and prioritize power and victory over it, I have no clue where this world is heading.

References

Lutkevich, B. (2022, August 1). Atom. TechTarget. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/definition/atom

(n.d.). What is an Atom? Propulsion. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from https://www.qrg.northwestern.edu/projects/vss/docs/propulsion/1-what-is-an-atom.html

(n.d.). Why is a nucleus with too many neutrons unstable? Study.com. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from https://homework.study.com/explanation/why-is-a-nucleus-with-too-many-neutrons-unstable.htm

Scheit, H. (2009, September 11). Too many neutrons break the rules. Riken. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from https://www.riken.jp/en/news_pubs/research_news/rr/6041/

https://www.britannica.com/event/atomic-bombings-of-Hiroshima-and-Nagasaki

https://www.icanw.org/hiroshima_and_nagasaki_bombings

https://www.britannica.com/technology/atomic-bomb

Author

Mohana Priya.T (IG: mohanapriya.t_writes)

Women Pi (IG: women.pi)