Damages of the Atomic Bombs
On August 6th the world was changed forever. 70,000 lives were ended in a matter of seconds. The United States had dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. Today many argue over whether or not the US should have taken such a drastic measure. Was it entirely necessary that we drop such a devastating weapon? The answer may lie in the eyes of the suffering masses that still tell its horrific damages today. The Hiroshima bomb (Little Boy) was exploded at a height of 580 meters for maximum effect. The bomb had the capacity of 12.5 kilotons of TNT. At the bursting point the temperature was about 1,000,000 degrees Centigrade. The intense heat and explosive force of the bomb would turn Hiroshima and Nagasaki into scorched wastelands. Equally devastating was the radioactive fallout which stretched for miles beyond the city. The radioactivity would continue to affect many generations. Through their suffering and pain we can truly learn that the atomic bomb caused physical damages, social damages and left us in a world where nuclear weapons may drive humanity to its very extinction.
Social Damages:
The bombing of Hiroshima happened very early in the morning. Little Boy was dropped over Hiroshima at 8:15 A.M. (Hiroshima time). On August 6th the day started out just like any other day. But suddenly the sound of the American planes drew the attention of the city’s resident. This is clearly seen in the source by Yoshitaka Kawamoto. He states, “One of my classmates muttered something and pointed outside the window, saying, "A B-29 is coming.” Yoshitaka was 13 and less than 1 kilometer away from the hypocenter. He further says, “All I can remember was a pale lightening flash for two or three seconds. Then, I collapsed. I don t know much time passed before I came to. It was awful, awful. The smoke was coming in from somewhere above the debris. Sandy dust was flying around. I was trapped under the debris and I was in terrible pain. I couldn't...