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The Manhattan Project Trivia Quiz

The use of the first atomic weapons changed the course of history in the summer of 1945. How well do you know the details surrounding the the birth of the Atomic Age?

A multiple-choice quiz by MageJack. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
MageJack

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
282,376

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1701

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 107 (6/10), hellobion (10/10), Guest 136 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. General Leslie Groves was chosen to be the military leader of the Manhattan Project. What major project had he overseen for the Army just prior to this appointment? Hint

The construction of the Pentagon

The construction of the airfields in Honolulu

The development of the Sherman tank

The development of the B-17 Bomber

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Question 2 of 10

2. The first two atomic weapons utilized different elemental isotopes to create explosive fission. Which isotope of Uranium was used? Hint

U-235

U-234

U-238

U-233

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Question 3 of 10

3. Natural uranium ore is composed mostly of two isotopes. What percentage of the isotope needed for an atomic weapon is found in uranium ore? Hint

14.26%

3.73%

6.03%

0.71%

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Question 4 of 10

4. Special plants were built to separate and concentrate the required uranium isotope from the natural ore. Where were these plants built? Hint

Hanford, WA

Oak Ridge, TN

Los Alamos, NM

Wendover, UT

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Question 5 of 10

5. The 509th Composite Group was an air combat group created to deliver the atomic bombs over mainland Japan. Who was the commanding colonel of the 509th? Hint

Charles Schultz

Charles Sweeney

Paul Tibbets

James Hopkins

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Question 6 of 10

6. The very first of the atomic weapons was detonated in the New Mexico Desert. What was the date of this test of the weapon? Hint

June 24, 1945

July 16, 1945

July 5, 1945

August 1, 1945

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Question 7 of 10

7. What was the name given to the first atomic weapon tested in New Mexico? Hint

Jumbo

Thin Man

Little Boy

The Gadget

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Question 8 of 10

8. Hiroshima, the target of the first bomb used against Japan (dropped by the Enola Gay). Nagasaki was the second target. Which plane dropped the Nagasaki bomb? Hint

Bockscar

The Big Stink

The Great Artiste

Necessary Evil

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Question 9 of 10

9. Nagasaki was not the first choice of targets on the day the atomic bomb was used on it. Which city was the first choice, but spared due to local weather conditions? Hint

Yahata

Kyoto

Niigata

Kokura

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Question 10 of 10

10. Where was the base used by the 509th Group to launch the planes that dropped the bombs over Japan? Hint

Okinawa

Tinian

Midway

Kwajalein

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 12 2024 : Guest 107: 6/10
Nov 08 2024 : hellobion: 10/10
Sep 30 2024 : Guest 136: 7/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. General Leslie Groves was chosen to be the military leader of the Manhattan Project. What major project had he overseen for the Army just prior to this appointment?

Answer: The construction of the Pentagon

He was a Colonel when the Pentagon was built and was promoted to General before taking on the Manhattan Project.

2. The first two atomic weapons utilized different elemental isotopes to create explosive fission. Which isotope of Uranium was used?

Answer: U-235

U-235 is a fissile isotope, meaning it is capable of spontaneous supercritical interaction if enough mass is brought together in the right geometrical configuration.

3. Natural uranium ore is composed mostly of two isotopes. What percentage of the isotope needed for an atomic weapon is found in uranium ore?

Answer: 0.71%

That isn't very much, is it?

4. Special plants were built to separate and concentrate the required uranium isotope from the natural ore. Where were these plants built?

Answer: Oak Ridge, TN

The two plants for U-235 production were the K-25 and Y-12 plants. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), formerly known as X-10, is also in Oak Ridge. Hanford was the site of the plant for plutonium production.

5. The 509th Composite Group was an air combat group created to deliver the atomic bombs over mainland Japan. Who was the commanding colonel of the 509th?

Answer: Paul Tibbets

Sweeney and Hopkins were also members of the 509th. Charles Schultz (creator of the "Peanuts" comics) served in the European theater in the 20th Armored Division from 1943 to 1945.

6. The very first of the atomic weapons was detonated in the New Mexico Desert. What was the date of this test of the weapon?

Answer: July 16, 1945

The first atomic bomb detonated was of the same type as 'Fat Man' used over Nagasaki (using plutonium). The 'Little Boy' bomb (using uranium) was thought to be of a more reliable design, so they didn't bother testing it before using it over Hiroshima.

7. What was the name given to the first atomic weapon tested in New Mexico?

Answer: The Gadget

Jumbo was a large steel vessel meant to contain the first explosion, but it wasn't used. Little Boy was the name given to the bomb dropped over Hiroshima. I made up "Thin Man".

8. Hiroshima, the target of the first bomb used against Japan (dropped by the Enola Gay). Nagasaki was the second target. Which plane dropped the Nagasaki bomb?

Answer: Bockscar

All of these planes were part of the 509th Group, but only Enola Gay and Bocks Car actually carried live bombs to their targets.

9. Nagasaki was not the first choice of targets on the day the atomic bomb was used on it. Which city was the first choice, but spared due to local weather conditions?

Answer: Kokura

Kokura had been the second choice of targets when the Hiroshima bomb was dropped three days earlier.

10. Where was the base used by the 509th Group to launch the planes that dropped the bombs over Japan?

Answer: Tinian

The planes launched from Tinian's North Field on their 13 to 14 hour round trips.

Source: Author MageJack

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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