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atomic bomb
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Atomic bomb Diagram showing the sequence of uranium nucleus fission after being struck by a neutron: the nucleus absorbs the neutron, deforms, splits into fragments, releases more neutrons and gamma rays, and emits beta particles as the fragments decay. Labels identify neutrons, protons, beta particles, and gamma rays, with accompanying explanatory text.
Split image showing Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer at a chalkboard on the left and actor Cillian Murphy portraying Oppenheimer with a cigarette and hat on the right.
Fission of a uranium nucleus by a neutron
Manhattan Project interactive timeline Diagram showing three nuclear weapon designs: a gun-assembly fission bomb with uranium-235 and a conventional explosive, an implosion fission bomb with a plutonium-239 core surrounded by explosive lenses, and a boosted-fission bomb with a plutonium core, uranium tamper, and fusion fuel, all labeled with their main components inside cutaway metal casings.
What is the difference between nuclear fission and fusion?
Atomic bombing of Hiroshima
The environmental effects of nuclear radiation
J. Robert Oppenheimer and Leslie R. Groves
At a Glance
Atomic bomb: first test
atomic bomb summary
Related Questions

atomic bomb: References & Edit History

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Add new Web site: Cambridge University Press - Cambridge Core - Performative Violence and the Spectacular Debut of the Atomic Bomb. Sep 21, 2026
Add new Web site: Chemistry LibreTexts - The Discovery of Fission and the Atomic Bomb. May 25, 2026
Add new Web site: Asia for Educators - "The Decision To Use tThe Atomic Bomb" ( February 1947) (PDF). Apr 18, 2026
Add new Web site: CORE - Truman’s Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb Against Japan in WWII (PDF). Aug 29, 2025
Add new Web site: Central Intelligence Agency - Atomic Bomb Introduction (PDF). Aug 21, 2025
Added questions. Jul 14, 2025
Add new Web site: Harry S. Truman Library and Museum - Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb. Jun 20, 2025
Add new Web site: IOPscience - Atomic Bomb: The Story of the Manhattan Project (PDF). Apr 25, 2025
Add new Web site: Stanford University - Department of Electrical Engineering - The Physics of Nuclear Weapons (PDF). Feb 14, 2025
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Atomic Bomb Health Benefits. Dec 16, 2024
Add new Web site: National Park Service - Harry S Truman. Oct 30, 2024
Add new Web site: Al Jazeera - Hydrogen bomb vs atomic bomb: What’s the difference? Aug 02, 2024
Add new Web site: Imperial War Museums - The Atomic Bombs That Ended the Second World War. Jun 18, 2024
Add new Web site: National Security Archive - The Atomic Bomb and the End of World War II. May 07, 2024
Add new Web site: Air Force Historical Support Division - The Story of the Atomic Bomb. Mar 28, 2024
Add new Web site: Atomic Heritage Foundation - The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History - Science Behind the Atom Bomb. Oct 16, 2023
Media added. Aug 07, 2023
Media added. Jul 18, 2023
Media added. Jul 17, 2023
Add new Web site: The National WWII Museum - "Destroyer of Worlds": The Making of an Atomic Bomb. Mar 29, 2023
Add new Web site: The Ohio State University - eHistory - The Story of the Atomic Bomb. Nov 04, 2022
Removed media. Dec 20, 2021
Infographic added. Aug 27, 2020
Add new Web site: History Learning Site - Atomic Bomb. Oct 15, 2019
Add new Web site: PBS - A Science Odyssey - The First Atomic Bomb is Detonated. Nov 10, 2017
Media added. May 19, 2017
Add new Web site: Public Broadcasting Service - American Experience - Race for the Superbomb: People, Events, Maps, Timeline and More. Jan 26, 2017
Add new Web site: The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History - Atomic Heritage Foundation - Science Behind the Atom Bomb. Jul 27, 2016
Media added. Apr 29, 2016
Media added. Jan 15, 2016
Added video. Mar 20, 2015
Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Atomic Bomb Facts. Jan 03, 2014
Revised the text concerning the destruction in Hiroshima. Aug 05, 2010
Added a video of the first atomic bomb test in the Pacific. Aug 26, 2009
Article revised and media added. Nov 07, 2008
Media added. Nov 07, 2008
Media added. Jul 16, 2007
Added new Web site: Atomic Bomb: Decision - Documents on the Decision to Use Atomic Bombs on the Cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Jun 12, 2006
Added new Web site: Atomic Archive. May 12, 2006
Article revised. Nov 30, 2001
Article revised. May 04, 1999
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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