International Atomic Science Before WWII

Question 1

discovery of nuclear fission

Answer 1

Otto Hahn, Fritz Strassman, Lise Meitner, Otto Frisch, beginning of the conceptualization of NWs

Question 2

refugee scientists

Answer 2

1930s, after Nazi rise to power, Jewish scientists that escaped from Europe or stayed and helped USA, USA nuclear growth was due to them

Question 3

Einstein’s Letter

Answer 3

Aug 2, 1939: Albert Einstein and Leo Szilard wrote a letter to Pres. Roosevelt to urge him to develop an atomic bomb project, deemed it possible to construct a bomb, emphasized the possibility of a chain reaction, and sense of urgency

Question 4

Otto Frisch-Rudolf Peierls Memo

Answer 4

1940: summarized atomic science, deemed it possible to make the bomb and that it would cause an efficient explosion, radioactive state, and kill everyone near it

Question 5

MAUD Report

Answer 5

written in Dec 1940 by MAUD Committee (in Britain), sent to USA in 1941: concluded that the scheme for a uranium bomb is practicable, work on a uranium bomb should be considered as highest priority and completed in the shortest possible time, and collaboration with USA should be continued

Question 6

USA’s Declaration of a Nuclear Project

Answer 6

March 1942: Roosevelt declares the urgency of USA’s atomic project

Question 7

Chain Reaction

Answer 7

discovered by Enrico Fermi in 1942, marks the turning point of atomic bombs and research developments, and usage during WWII