Q & A page01

# General Questions #
* Why did Hiroshima become the target of the atomic bomb? 1, Topography - Hiroshima is located on the flat, wide delta, surrounded by mountains in three directions. It was a good site to test the power of the bomb. 2, Air-Raid - As few air-raid attacks had been carried out, the city mostly remained intact. 3, Military City - Hiroshima was an army base which was stationed at the site of Hiroshima castle. 4, International Relationships -It is a little bit difficult for you to understand. Please study by yourself when you are grown-ups. * What was the population of Hiroshima at that time? How many people died from the atomic bomb? There were roughly 350,000 people including military personnel of about 40,000. However, on that day various people were coming from neighboring towns and villages to Hiroshima City. They helped demolish houses and buildings to make fire prevention lanes, or did their own business. So the accurate number has not been obtained. It is reported that about 140,000 people died until the end of December, 1945. The number of deaths is unknown. * How was the "PIKADON" like? "PIKA" is the expression of the flash and "DON" of the tremendous sound of the blast. When the bomb was dropped, there was a flash "PIKA" followed by a tremendous sound of the blast "DON", so people started calling the bomb "PIKADON". I'll tell you what they actually looked like. The atomic bomb exploded about 580m in the air with dazzling light. A huge sun-like fireball appeared, and one second later it expanded to the diameter of 280m fireball (incidentally iron-melting temperature is 1,500 degrees Celsius). This dazzling flash of light was called Pika. Don is the sound caused by the explosion of the bomb. Immediately after the explosion tremendous blast was produced. The power reached as much as 35 tons per one square meter. It looked like 35 trucks of one ton were dropped just from above. That was why most houses and buildings were destroyed and people were instantly blown away. * How far did the damage of the atomic bomb reach? The area within a radius 2 km from the hypocenter was reduced to ashes. It was reported that even window panes at the point of 27 km were broken. The damage expanded to a wider area because of black rain which contained radioactivity from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum <The Hiroshima Bomb> Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum <The Devastated City>

# General Questions #

* Why did Hiroshima become the target of the atomic bomb?
1, Topography - Hiroshima is located on the flat, wide delta, surrounded by mountains in three directions. It was a good site to test the power of the bomb.
2, Air-Raid - As few air-raid attacks had been carried out, the city mostly remained intact.
3, Military City - Hiroshima was an army base which was stationed at the site of Hiroshima castle.
4, International Relationships -It is a little bit difficult for you to understand. Please study by yourself when you are grown-ups.

* What was the population of Hiroshima at that time? How many people died from the atomic bomb?
There were roughly 350,000 people including military personnel of about 40,000. However, on that day various people were coming from neighboring towns and villages to Hiroshima City. They helped demolish houses and buildings to make fire prevention lanes, or did their own business. So the accurate number has not been obtained. It is reported that about 140,000 people died until the end of December, 1945. The number of deaths is unknown.

* How was the "PIKADON" like? "PIKA" is the expression of the flash and "DON" of the tremendous sound of the blast.

When the bomb was dropped, there was a flash "PIKA" followed by a tremendous sound of the blast "DON", so people started calling the bomb "PIKADON". I'll tell you what they actually looked like. The atomic bomb exploded about 580m in the air with dazzling light. A huge sun-like fireball appeared, and one second later it expanded to the diameter of 280m fireball (incidentally iron-melting temperature is 1,500 degrees Celsius). This dazzling flash of light was called Pika. Don is the sound caused by the explosion of the bomb. Immediately after the explosion tremendous blast was produced. The power reached as much as 35 tons per one square meter. It looked like 35 trucks of one ton were dropped just from above. That was why most houses and buildings were destroyed and people were instantly blown away.

* How far did the damage of the atomic bomb reach?
The area within a radius 2 km from the hypocenter was reduced to ashes. It was reported that even window panes at the point of 27 km were broken. The damage expanded to a wider area because of black rain which contained radioactivity from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum <The Hiroshima Bomb>

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum <The Devastated City>

# The Atomic Bomb Dome #
* Can we find any area or buildings that is a symbol of the horror of the bomb other than the dome? The bent iron door of the Hiroshima Army Clothing Depot at 2.7 km from the hypocenter represents the power of the blast. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum <Warped Iron Shutters> * What was the dome used for? It was called the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall where exhibition and sales of prefectural products were carried out. But, as the war increased further and became severe, the Hall functioned as governmental offices. Peace Park Tour <Atomic Bomb Dome>

# The Atomic Bomb Dome #

* Can we find any area or buildings that is a symbol of the horror of the bomb other than the dome?
The bent iron door of the Hiroshima Army Clothing Depot at 2.7 km from the hypocenter represents the power of the blast.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum <Warped Iron Shutters>

* What was the dome used for?
It was called the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall where exhibition and sales of prefectural products were carried out. But, as the war increased further and became severe, the Hall functioned as governmental offices.

Peace Park Tour <Atomic Bomb Dome>

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