The Rise Of Australasia-Chapter 1095 - 821: The Death God Descends Experiment, Begin!

Time had moved on to April 17th, 1934, and after a lengthy period of preparation, Arthur finally received the best news yet—the nuclear weapons research and development team had created the first nuclear weapon, the Atomic Bomb Moss.

The name Moss was given by Arthur. Mors, the name of the god of death in Roman mythology.

By bestowing the name of the god of death upon this atomic bomb, Arthur's intention was more than clear.

No matter who the enemies of Australasia were, Moss and the subsequent series of nuclear weapons would become the grim reapers looming over the heads of Australasia's foes.

Before carrying out the final nuclear test, Arthur received a report from the nuclear weapons research and development team and saw the external appearance and internal structure of Moss.

The theory behind atomic bombs is largely the same, which is that when a neutron rapidly strikes the atomic nucleus of uranium-235, it splits into two other elements—barium and krypton—and releases 2 to 3 neutrons as well as about 200 million electron volts of energy.

These released neutrons can continue to strike other uranium-235 nuclei, thus triggering continuous nuclear fission, which is also the principle of the famous chain reaction.

Before the nuclear test, the research team had already calculated the explosive equivalent of one gram of fully fissioned uranium-235, which is roughly equivalent to 20 tons of TNT explosives, capable of destroying all buildings within a radius of 120 meters.

Australasia's first atomic bomb, Moss, adopted the rather typical gun-type design of historical atomic bombs.

The entire structure of the atomic bomb is similar to the barrel of a handgun, with the electronic detonator and explosives located at the rear, and blocks of uranium at the front of the bomb.

The explosive at the rear is ignited by the electronic detonator, and the gas propels a hollow cylindrical block of uranium into a solid block of uranium at the front of the bomb.

When the two uranium blocks merge, they can exceed the critical mass and collide with surrounding bullets made of polonium beryllium alloy.

These bullets can release a large number of neutrons to trigger nuclear fission. The uranium block is surrounded by thick carbide, which can reflect the released neutrons back into the block, causing a new round of nuclear fission.

This is not only the most primitive atomic bomb theory but also a relatively classic one, fully utilizing the design of the atomic bomb with a chain reaction.

After the theory of chain reactions was invented, the design of Australasia's atomic bomb was also based on the chain reaction, ultimately resulting in a gun-type atomic bomb.

Since it was a test bomb, Moss contained only one kilogram of uranium-235, and the estimated maximum explosion yield was 200,000 tons of TNT.

Testing a weapon with such formidable power was a first in the whole world. To ensure safety, the test would be conducted in the vast Gibson Desert of West Australia, a place deserted for hundreds of kilometers, accompanied only by the desert.

After deciding to conduct the nuclear test, the Australasian government became very busy.

On April 19th, the Security Department received a special order from Arthur to block all roads to West Australia under the guise of road maintenance and to relocate all foreign tourists within the West Australian region to other regions.

As time was of the essence, Arthur gave the Security Department just one week to ensure that not a single foreign tourist remained within West Australia.

The good news was, though West Australia was vast in size, much of the land was desert, and the main cities were all by the sea.

The only interior area, the Leonora Industrial Base, was a restricted zone, greatly limiting the number of foreign tourists.

After receiving Arthur's order, the Security Department immediately set off for the West Australian State and began relocating foreign tourists.

On April 29th, 1934, on this day to be remembered, in an unnamed part of the West Australian desert.

"Everyone, are we all prepared?" Silverdale asked with a smile to the other members of the nuclear weapons research and development test team.

"All data has been confirmed, and we can begin the nuclear test," said Enrique Fermi with a serious tone.

"Group Leader Einstein, we can start the nuclear test now. Group Leader Einstein?" Silverdale called out several times before Einstein finally responded, nodding his head somewhat dully.

"What's the matter? Don't you have confidence in our experiment?" Silverdale asked with a smile.

The development of nuclear weapons required seclusion from the populace, a life of obscurity in the hot and dry desert.

This left these top physicists extremely bored during this period. Fortunately, the renowned physicists kept good relations with each other.

After all, most of them were dedicated to research, and the researchers did not have many distractions, spending most of their time engrossed in their work.

"Not at all," Einstein shook his head and sighed, saying, "I was just thinking, just one kilogram of uranium-235 can exert a force greater than 200,000 tons of TNT equivalent.

"Is such a terrifying weapon a good thing for humanity? If not kept in check, I'm afraid weapons like these will destroy human civilization in the future."

As a theoretical physicist and one of the most important technical personnel in the development of Australasian nuclear weapons, Albert Einstein of course understood the immense power of the atomic bomb.

It is no exaggeration to say that, in terms of power, no weapon that human beings can think of comes close to this relatively small looking atomic bomb.

A complete reaction of just one gram of uranium-235 can unleash the power of 20 tons of TNT. Such an exaggerated conversion ratio has destined the atomic bomb to crush all of humanity's weapons with an invincible posture.

"I, on the other hand, feel that the atomic bomb could actually help us restrict war," Silverdale patted Einstein on the shoulder and said to his friend, "We all understand that the atomic bomb is humanity's last-resort weapon.

Hasn't Your Majesty also said that Europe is not far from breaking out into a second large-scale war?

If Australasia can possess such a mighty weapon before the outbreak of war, it is very likely to force the enemy to end the war earlier.

Thinking this way, the atomic bomb may even cause humanity to suffer fewer casualties in wars, which is entirely beneficial to humanity."

"But," Einstein still hesitated, thinking a thousand thoughts, "the atomic bomb is a difficult technology, but other countries could also break through it over a long period of time.

Perhaps in a few decades, all the major powers will have atomic bomb technology. The impact on humanity would be devastating, and it could even trigger a global nuclear war.

A single atomic bomb could lead to the deaths of hundreds of thousands, even millions of people. If it were to be used extensively in wars, it would truly be the end of humanity!"

"You can't think like that, Mr. Einstein," Fermi said with a smile, "If there truly comes a day when all the countries in the world have mastered atomic bomb technology, then the atomic bomb will be even less likely to be used in war.

After all, if you have an atomic bomb, I also have an atomic bomb. For humanity, maybe that is the best outcome. Atomic bombs can restrict the outbreak of wars, and the more countries that possess them, it can also limit the outbreak of nuclear wars between nations.

Moreover, what you're talking about is something that will happen in several decades. For us right now, how to avoid greater casualties in this war is the most important thing."

"Perhaps you're right." Einstein nodded, not questioning the issue further.

Up to now, the atomic bomb project has been a complete success. Einstein could not possibly stop the birth of the atomic bomb because the talent reserve in Australasia is more than sufficient.

Even without Einstein, there would be scientists whose capabilities were not much inferior ready to replace him.

Compared to completely losing control over nuclear weapons, Einstein would rather see nuclear weapons develop step by step in his own hands, preferably as humanity's last-resort weapon, and not a conventional one.

"Code name Reaper's Arrival, the first nuclear weapons test of Australasia, commence!"

The test bomb contained only one kilogram of uranium-235, also as a safety precaution for the test personnel and observers.

After all, with the technology being rather rudimentary, to truly observe the actual situation of an atomic bomb explosion, reconnaissance aircraft from a far range would be necessary.

"Countdown, 3, 2, 1, detonate!" Accompanied by the countdown and a command, in a desert dozens of kilometers away from the test team, a small atomic bomb was successfully detonated, blowing all the sand within several kilometers into the air and forming an extremely spectacular mushroom cloud.

"How's the explosion? Has the observation team sent any data?" Einstein eagerly inquired.

"The observation team has taken photos, they are on their way here," Fermi replied upon receiving a signal.

"What's the situation with the explosion?" Einstein continued to inquire.

"The atomic bomb detonated successfully and formed a huge mushroom cloud. It's just..." Silverdale hesitated, somewhat puzzled, "According to the observers' description, the power of this atomic bomb is not the 200,000 tons of TNT we calculated, but only about a few thousand tons."

"The explosive force of a few thousand tons of TNT?" Einstein was stunned, not wanting to believe the numbers Silverdale mentioned.

Compared to their predicted power of 200,000 tons of TNT, this was far below their expectations.

This also meant that while the nuclear test was a success, it was also a failure. Even though the atomic bomb had been researched and developed, the current atomic bomb obviously wasn't unleashing its intended power.

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The scientists present were also quite disappointed. This was the result of years of their hard work, if it fell below expectations, wouldn't it mean that their efforts over the past few years were all in vain?

"Have the observation team collect all the data, and the calculation team re-estimate the power of this atomic bomb," Einstein fell silent for a while, then turned to the research personnel nearby, "Everyone else go to the meeting room, I need to quickly find out why the explosive force equates to only a few thousand tons of TNT."