Which bomb did J. Robert Oppenheimer's team develop?

Study for the News Currents 2025 Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations. Prepare for your upcoming exam confidently!

J. Robert Oppenheimer's team was primarily responsible for the development of the atomic bomb during World War II as part of the Manhattan Project. This project, which began in the United States in 1942, focused on harnessing nuclear reactions for the creation of a weapon that could end the war. The atomic bomb specifically refers to the weapon that utilizes nuclear fission — the process of splitting the nuclei of heavy atoms, such as uranium or plutonium, to release massive amounts of energy.

The term "nuclear bomb" is broader and can refer to any type of bomb that derives its explosive energy from nuclear reactions, including both fission and fusion. The hydrogen bomb involves nuclear fusion, a process that Oppenheimer's team did not develop during the Manhattan Project. Conventional bombs rely on chemical explosives and do not involve nuclear reactions, distinguishing them from the atomic bomb. Therefore, the atomic bomb is the accurate term for the weapon developed by Oppenheimer's team, as it specifically pertains to their work on fission-based nuclear weapons during that historical context.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy