Page 114 - The Miracle in the Atom

THE MIRACLE IN THE ATOM

Life was totally destroyed after the bomb
dropped on Hiroshima, which left
behind a huge amount of
debris.

occurs in a very short time.
Neutrons move so fast that the bomb
releases a total energy of 1,000 billion kilo-calo-
ries during one millionth of a second.
The temperature of the gas, into which the bomb is ins-
tantaneously converted, rises to several million degrees and the gas
pressure rises to one million atmospheres.
- One thousandth of a second after the explosion…

The diameter of the detonated mass of gas increases and various rays
are emitted. These radiations form the "initial flash" of the explosion. This
flash may cause full blindness in anyone standing within an area having a
diameter of tens of kilometres. This flash is hundreds of times stronger than
that emitted from the surface of the sun (per surface unit). The time elapsed
since the outset of the explosion is so short that people close to the explosion
site cannot even find time to close their eyes.
The pressure of the shock causes heavy damage indoors. Power trans-
mission towers, two-piece bridges and skyscrapers built from glass-steel are
also damaged. In the close surroundings of the explosion, a great amount of
powder-like fine dust is raised.
- 2 seconds after the explosion…
The flashing mass and the air surrounding it form a fireball. The heat
radiated from this fireball, whose surface is still extremely hot and which
glows like the sun and even more, is powerful enough to ignite all combus-
tible matter within an area of 4-5 kilometres in diameter. The radiance of the

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