This week we studied the rise of Big Science during World War II, focusing on the development of nuclear physics, the Manhattan Project, and the transformation of science into a large-scale, state-driven enterprise. We also explored the human dimensions of this history, including refugee scientists, minority participation, and the ethical consequences of atomic power.
For this assignment, you will connect that historical material to the present-day visualization tool , created by historian Alex Wellerstein, which simulates the effects of nuclear weapons on real geographic locations.
Part 1: Exploration
Spend time experimenting with . Try the following:
- Choose a location that is meaningful to you (your hometown, Los Angeles, a major world city, etc.).
- Select a nuclear weapon yield (you may compare Hiroshima-scale and modern warhead sizes).
- Observe the different impact zones (blast, radiation, thermal damage).
- Experiment with different variables (altitude of detonation, wind, population density).
Part 2: Short Written Reflection (300500 words)
Write a reflective essay addressing the following questions:
1. Historical Connection
How does NUKEMAP help you understand the scientific and political stakes of the Manhattan Project and WWII-era physics research?
2. Big Science and Responsibility
Based on what we studied this week, how did the structure of Big Science (government funding, secrecy, military goals) shape the development of nuclear weapons?
3. Human Scale vs Scientific Scale
What happens when abstract physics (like energy, radiation, and chain reactions) is translated into visible human consequences through a simulation?
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