An atomic bomb is detonated in much the same way a nuclear power plant creates energy. A neutron* is fired into a uranium** or plutonium** atom, which causes the atom to split. Then the atom sends off two more neutrons, these in turn emit more neutrons which split more atoms etc.

 When Harry Truman made the decision to build an atomic bomb, he at first wanted to bomb the Japanese capital. Then he realized that if the capital was bombed, it would push the Japanese into the arms of the Soviets because if their capital was destroyed, the whole government would collapse. So President Harry Truman decided to drop the bomb on Hiroshima.

Hiroshima was chosen for three reasons.  First, it had not previously been bombed before so the damage could be accurately measured.  Second, it was being used as a military base so it would seriously damage the Japanese army. The third reason is because it was easily identified in the air by the unusual t-shaped Aioi bridge.

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On August 6, 1945 at 8:15 A.M.,  the first Atomic bomb used in warfare called Little Boy was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. A plane called the Enola Gay dropped the bomb.

Picture used with permission from Hiroshima
A-Bomb Museum

Two days after the bombing of Hiroshima, another bomb, named Fat Man, was dropped on Nagasaki.  This ultimately resulted in the surrender of the Japanese.   

*a part of an atom's nucleus

**a highly radioactive metal

For more information about the bombing of Hiroshima, go to this web site. You will be leaving our site, so use the back button to return.

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