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Thread: Physics Project - Oppenheimer Trial

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    Default Physics Project - Oppenheimer Trial

    So, for our class for gr 12 physics we are going to have a mock trial where oppenheimer is being accused of manslaughter.

    We have a lawyer working for and against him. For the rest of the class, we are going to be jurys. We are assigned characters to research and "act - like" during the trial, and must provide 10 High quality questions with answers and source that would lead to Oppenheimer's sentence, and 10 more that would lead to make him a free man.

    We are assuming that these characters are meeting right after the drop of the atomic bomb, and any historical events that happened after that time, cannot be used as evidence (question + answer for lawyer). The characters range from the A scientist who's friend to Oppenheimer, to the President of Japan, to the US president.

    So, I'm Leslie Grooves. The man who oversaw the Manhattan project, and the man who hired Oppenheimer.




    I'll post my questions and answers + source. If anyone else got input or ideas. post it =D.



    RR, TMAB = Richard Rodes, The Making of the Atomic Bomb

    Leslie Groves.

    DEFENSE / PROSECUTION
    Point 1. THINKING OF A NEW LAB
    L. Where were you on October 1942? (RR, TMAB, 447)
    - I was in Berkeley for an inspection tour
    L. Which significant individual did you meet around that time? (RR, TMAB, 447)
    - Around that time I've met Dr. J Robert Oppenheimer.
    L. What did Dr. Oppenheimer talk to you about? (RR, TMAB, 448)
    - He purposed to me an idea that The Manhattan project requires a central office devoted completely to the purpose of creating the bomb itself. He told me that if this was completed, it would become a place where staff can freely talk about this project, where the efficiency of the experimental studies can be greatly increased. Mr. Oppenheimer proposed this idea so that the production of the bomb may start immediately, and progress more smoothly. I agreed.

    DEFENSE / PROSECUTION
    Point 2. HIRING OPPENHEIMER
    L. Gen. Grooves, In reference to the purposed new central office, what was the greatest concern that you have? (RR, TMAB, 448)
    - I was immediately worried about the leadership. I believe that assigning the right man as head will push the project even further than suggested.
    L. Then who was your first choice to be the head of the new central office of the Manhattan project? (RR, TMAB, 448)
    - At first, my choice was Dr Ernest Lawrence.
    L. Why? (RR, TMAB, 448)
    - Dr. Lawrence was my choice for 2 main reasons. First, there are few known physicists who would make electromagnetic isotope separation work. Second, the other possible scientists already have their hands full.
    L. So then, who did you choose in the end to become the new laboratory's director? (RR, TMAB, 448)
    - I chose Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer.
    L. What kind of qualification did Dr. Oppenheimer have? (RR, TMAB, 448)
    - He knew what to do and knows exactly how to get the job done.
    L. So exactly what is different about Dr. Oppenheimer when compared to Dr Ernest Lawrence? (RR, TMAB, 448)
    - In the eyes of the other project leaders, he was a theorist with no Nobel prize to distinguish him, no experience in directing large groups of people, and had many relatives who have been members of the communist parties.
    L. Why exactly did you chose Dr. Oppenheimer then? (RR, TMAB, 448)
    - I'll tell you the same thing I told the interviewer before you. "He's a Genius." "A real genius. While Lawrence is very bright he's not a genius, just a good hard worker."
    L. There were many disapprovals about your suggestion of Oppenheimer to become the head of the Manhattan project. How was Dr. Oppenheimer chosen in the end? (RR, TMAB, 449)
    - After I proposed that Dr. Oppenheimer take the responsibility of becoming the project head, a call was out to see if anyone better may be found. But not finding anyone in a few weeks, Oppenheimer was asked to take up that task, almost by default. Honestly though, the obvious individuals were already taken, and the Project already had a bad name.

    DEFENSE / PROSECUTION
    Point 3. (RR, TMAB, 449) CHOOSE A SITE, ANY SITE.
    L. Gen. Grooves what was your primary concern with a new site for the Project?
    - My concern was the needed for isolation.
    L. Why was Isolation your greatest concern?(RR, TMAB, 449)
    - The main reason was for safety. It would not be a wise thing if our experiments were to adversely affect the nearby communities by unforeseen results.
    L. So Gen. Groves, where was the new site chosen for the Manhattan Project? (RR, TMAB, 450)
    - We have chosen many sites.
    L. The final site. (RR, TMAB, 450)
    - It was a site on top of a mesa in Jemez Springs, New Mexico where an old school used to reside.
    L. Who suggested that site. (RR, TMAB, 450)
    - Dr. Robert Dudley suggests the location of Jemez Springs, inside a deep canyon that’s 40 miles northwest of Santa Fe. Dr. Oppenheimer then chose to move the site up to the canyon, on top of the mesa to where the school was.
    L. Did you fully approve of Oppenheimer’s decision? (RR, TMAB, 450 - 451)
    - No. Well, not at first. During my first inspection of the area on a cold day, I saw a barren land, savage and beautiful, a view here is much more pleasant than in the canyon. The students at school were playing outside with their masters in shorts, on a COLD day. At that moment, I realized the potential of Oppenheimer’s decision, it really hardens the ones who dwell in it. In a time of war, that was exactly was needed. Cold, hard conditions that will harden everyone. I then approved.
    L. Were there any disagreements you received from other staff regarding the new location that Oppenheimer chose.(RR, TMAB, 449 - 452)
    - There were, but their disagreements, or dissatisfaction came from the contrast to a statement that I‘ve made earlier; “…Highly talented specialists… whom would be prima donnas (first lady), and of keeping them satisfied with their working and living conditions.”, when compared to their actual living conditions. Cheap barracks, no sidewalk, and coal stoves.
    L. Who built and managed this new site? (RR, TMAB, 451 - 452)
    - I convinced the University of California to serve as contractors to construct the barracks, and operate this installation. The physicists were building the “lab” part of the site with minimal supplies and equipment.
    L. What was Oppenheimer doing during this time? (RR, TMAB, 452)
    - He was out and about trying to recruit capable and intelligent individuals.

    DEFENSE
    Part 4 STAFF CONDITIONS
    L. On Feb. 1943, what was happening among your staff?(RR, TMAB, 545)
    - Rabi and Bacher, two of our physicists left our organization. This was a serious issue for us, as it meant delay in the Project, as other staff may follow suit, and commitment will plummet.
    L. How was this problem resolved? (RR, TMAB, 454)
    - I compromised by co-signing a letter written by Conanat that Oppenheimer may use for his recruitment task. The letter stated that civilians may join the Project as administrators and staff, until the hazardous large-scale trials. If the civilians wished to stay for the trials, would have to accept commission. The letter also included a request that the Army would take care of this community that was being built around the lab.
    L. Who was in charge of the laboratory security? (RR, TMAB, 454)
    - It was Oppenheimer’s responsibility, and he would report to me.

    DEFENSE / PROSECUTION
    Part 5 BYE TELLER (All in (RR, TMAB, 546))
    L. Did you receive a letter from Oppenheimer in May of 1944?
    - Yes.
    L. What did that Letter state?
    - It stated Oppenheimer’s request to replace Teller with Rudolf Peierls. Bethe and Oppenheimer both believed that Teller was unsuited for the responsibility. Beth felt that he needed a man who can handle the implosion program under him.
    L. What happened afterwards?
    - Oppenheimer started to discuss tritium production with Du Point’s Crawford Greenewalt and myself. Greenewalt agreed to spare some neutron producing…machine, to spare.
    L. What was the working hours of the staff laboratory at this time?
    - 6 days a week, on overtime.
    L. Did Oppenheimer organize a meeting during this time?
    - Yes.
    L. With Whom?
    - With Dr. Teller.
    L. So Oppenheimer met with Dr. Teller weekly even during this crunch time at the lab, after he recommended him replaced. Is this correct?
    - Yes.

    DEFENSE / PROSECUTION
    Part 6 OPPENHEIMER’S METHOD (All in (RR, TMAB, 548))
    L. On July 18, 1944, did Oppenheimer write a letter to you?
    - Yes
    L. What did that letter talk about?
    - It talked about the difficulty of separating 2 types of plutonium isotopes chemically. It also contained Oppenheimer’s suggestion to… hold on… “…discontinue the intensive effort to achieve higher purity for plutonium and to concentrate attention on methods of assembly which do not require a low neutron background for their success.”. Oppenheimer then suggested a greater priority to the method of implosion.
    L. Can you explain summarize this for us in simpler English for the jury to understand?
    - If I could understand… sure, sure. The current idea for detonation of the bomb is shoving the chemical ingredients together, and making a bang. But that had a problem because it required specific qualities in one of those ingredients, lower neutron background. Thus, a task to separate the plutonium isotopes were in effect. Dr. Oppenheimer then suggested to abandon that idea for implosion, which would not require as much isotope separation.

    DEFENSE / PROSECUTION
    Part 7 POWER PLANTS. (All in (RR, TMAB, 552 - 553))
    L. Gen. Groves, who gave you the idea to build the k-25 plant?
    - Oppenheimer came up with a brilliant idea of thermal-diffusion to increase the percent enrichment of uranium to 1 percent [creates bigger bang]. I then contracted engineers to build that plant.
    L. Was that plant ever completed?
    - no.
    L. Reason please.
    - During the construction of the k-25 plant, there was a leak, and it damaged the Alpha calutrons. I then ordered this stage of the plant cancelled. The plant went on partially functioning with its Beta calutrons that provided the final enrichment of plutonium.

    PROSECUTION / DEFENSE
    Part 8 BOMB TEST (All in (RR, TMAB, 571 - 572))
    L. Gen. Groves, what the significance of March 1944?
    - The Project had begun planning a test for an implosion weapon, the world’s first man - made nuclear explosion.
    L. Where did the explosion take place?
    (Gergory Walker, http://www.cddc.vt.edu/host/atomic/t.../trinity1.html)
    - It took place near Albuquerque, New Mexico?
    L. Who coded the test site as Trinity?
    - Oppenheimer did.
    L. When did Oppenheimer suggest this code name?
    - Somewhere between March and October of the same year.
    L. Did Oppenheimer contribute other things to the test of this bomb? Not the bomb itself.
    - Well, he also coded the test itself.
    L. When exactly was the date of this first real test of this new atomic bomb?
    - July 16, 1945.

    DEFENSE
    Part 9 IMPLOSION SUCCESS (All in (RR, TMAB, 612))
    L. What did Oppenheimer write to you about on April 11th 1945?
    - He wrote to me a letter of good news that Kistiakowsky had managed to “master” the production of implosive compressions, and that their theoretical math fit well with Kistiakowsky’s experimental numbers.

    PROSECUTION
    Part 10 LITTLE BOY (All in (RR, TMAB, 655))
    L. Did you meet with Oppenheimer on June 27, 1945?
    - Yes, as well as with Parsons.
    L. What did that meeting accomplish?
    - The three of us managed to lay plans to ship the first Atomic-bomb to the Pacific. We agreed to send Little Boy U235 by water, and the other U235 target pieces by air.
    L. What was the name of this project?
    - We called this operation Bronx because of that New York borough’s adjacency to Manhattan

    DEFENSE
    Part 11 FIRST SHOT (All in (RR, TMAB, 664))
    L. What did you do on July 16 1945?
    - I decided to wait with Oppenheimer and see what happens. After some uncertainties with time, we managed to make up our minds that the shot will be taken at 0400 hours.
    L. Anything else of particular interest to you at that date?
    - Fermi started wagers with scientist regarding how the bomb will blow up. It irritated me. Besides that, it was simply waiting to see how a product of this project will act for real.

    PROSECUTION / DEFENSE
    PART 12 GROVES AND OPPENHEIMER CONVERSATION (All in (RR, TMAB, 734 - 735))
    L. Did you call Oppenheimer on August 6th after the drop of Little Boy?
    - Yes
    L. Do you have a recording of what was said during that phone call?
    - Yes.
    “G. I’m very proud of you and all of your people.
    O. It went alright?
    G. Apparently it went with a tremendous bang.
    O. Was this after sundown?
    G. No, unfortunately, it had to be in the daytime…
    O. Right. Everybody is feeling reasonably good about it and I extend my heartiest congratulations. It’s been a long road.
    G. Yes, it has been a long road and I think one of the wisest things I ever did was when I selected the director of Los Alamos.
    O. Well, I have my doubts, General Groves.
    G. Well, you know I’ve never concurred with those doubts at any time.”
    Last edited by mrpickle; 10-24-2010 at 11:34 PM.

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