BOMBS AT BIKINI 



This huge quantity of free energy could not be tol- 

 erated by the bomb case. The outrush of energy was so 

 violent that it would be inaccurate to say that the 

 bomb case cracked or even melted. It simply sprang 

 outwards in all directions as though it were a gas ; indi- 

 vidual atoms shot outward with speeds far exceeding 

 the velocity of sound. Each atom started its trip in- 

 stantaneously, and without regard to previous physical 

 condition. It was literall.y ''every atom for itself" in 

 the chaotic rush from the intolerable concentration of 

 energy. 



Atoms were not alone in their outward flight. Neu- 

 trons, beta particles, and protons joined the rush. 

 Mingled with them were the highly radioactive fission 

 products. 



Electromagnetic radiations, too, joined the surge. 

 Gamma rays of extremely great intensity started out- 

 ward with the velocity of light, and ultraviolet light, 

 visible light, and infrared light followed suit. These 

 wave-like radiations tended to outrace the atoms and 

 nuclear fragments. 



It was the visible light which gave the observers 

 their first indication that the explosion had taken 

 I^lace. This light, accompanied by invisible ultraviolet 

 and infrared radiation, sped onward, and even at dis- 

 tances as great as the moon it would have been clearly 

 visible. 



Let us slow down the events of the first few seconds 

 after the detonation and examine each phenomenon 



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