By Annie Wagner, ’27
Oppenheimer, the movie about the father of the atomic bomb, was released in the summer of 2023 and has since grossed $960 million and won seven Oscars.
While fascinating to physicists, many ordinary consumers might find a movie about nuclear fission dull. This, however, was not the case. How did a movie about physics capture the hearts of millions, and why?
First, it’s important to explain the main concept behind the blockbuster: nuclear fission. Nuclear fission is the splitting of a large, heavy nucleus into two smaller and lighter nuclei. Excess neutrons produced by the reaction then hit other atoms, causing a speedy chain reaction and releasing an enormous amount of energy instantaneously. Because of the high amount of energy released, nuclear fission is a good source of power for bombs.
I think that one of the best parts of this film is feeling like you’re right there with Oppenheimer and the other scientists, working on the bombs and racing to beat Nazi Germany to it. They grapple with moral and ethical questions that often seem to be in direct conflict with the progression of science and technology.
After the atomic bomb was used, Oppenheimer advocated against the development of the much deadlier hydrogen bomb, which combines fission and fusion.
Because the scientists are passionate about nuclear fission and the work they’re doing, viewers are interested in how it works and care about the outcome. For example, when Oppenheimer’s security clearance is denied and he goes to court, I was outraged by the injustice of it all: a brilliant scientist being punished for his advocacy against the use of the terrible weapon that he had created, hoping it would never have to be used.
After the war, it was realized that nuclear fission could be used as a form of electricity as well as a bomb. Since then, many nuclear power plants have been built around the world. Some are wary of the plants due to famous meltdown events, such as Chernobyl and Fukushima, and for a while, the number of plants dropped, but it seems that nuclear power might be making a comeback.
Right now, climate change is a pressing world issue, and nuclear power may be the solution. It doesn’t produce any carbon dioxide, which is a main contributor to climate change. Unlike other green energy sources like hydro and solar power, nuclear reactors can be placed practically anywhere in the world. However, nuclear power isn’t perfect, as in addition to the risk of meltdowns, it produces dangerous radioactive waste that is a threat to human health and safety. If we can figure out how to mitigate the effects of nuclear meltdowns and store radioactive waste properly, nuclear power will be the wave of the future.
Luckily, Oppenheimer’s legacy has, at least up until now, been used mostly for good. As Cillian Murphy, the actor playing J. Robert Oppenheimer said in his Oscar acceptance speech: “For better or worse, we’re all living in Oppenheimer’s world. I’d like to dedicate this [Oscar] to the peacemakers of the world.”
This message is an important one for the time we’re living in. With more technology being discovered now than ever before, we must consider the impact of scientific advancements in our society, and whether or not we will use our discoveries for good. It is everyone’s duty to ensure that technology and its development is used in a way that benefits, not harms, the world.