The Manhattan Project

Factual error: In an early scene, the high school science teacher produces a schematic diagram of the two nuclear bomb designs created by the Manhattan Project. He says, "Here are two designs based on plutonium." Actually, only the Fat Man bomb uses plutonium. The other, the Little Boy design, uses uranium.

Factual error: To achieve critical mass and create a nuclear explosion, the plutonium in Paul's device would have to be compressed very precisely. The sphere he placed it into is too large, when he heats it the plutonium would not be distributed evenly, even if it rotates while heated and the amount of plutonium in the jug he steals is not not nearly enough to fill it completely. A smaller sphere was required.

Grumpy Scot

Factual error: To achieve critical mass and create a nuclear explosion, the plutonium in Paul's device would have to be compressed very precisely. The sphere he placed it into is too large, when he heats it the plutonium would not be distributed evenly, even if it rotates while heated and the amount of plutonium in the jug he steals is not not nearly enough to fill it completely. A smaller sphere was required.

Grumpy Scot

More mistakes in The Manhattan Project

Jenny Anderman: This isn't funny. Do you know what this is like? It's like when you read about, I don't know, Anne Frank or something and you say to yourself, Jesus why didn't they do something. The whole world is collapsing. They just sat around, life as usual, maybe it'll go away, but it never goes away it only gets worse and nobody thinks about the future. What's the matter?
Paul Stephens: Who's Anne Frank?

More quotes from The Manhattan Project

Trivia: After the six wires are cut to defuse the weapon, you can see the amount of time left on the clock is 07:16:45, which is the date of the first successful test of the Atomic Bomb.

More trivia for The Manhattan Project

Question: Would the interference from the plutonium keep the RC car from working?

Answer: Radiation wouldn't necessarily affect a remote control car. It would contaminate it, but beyond that the car would continue to work.

More questions & answers from The Manhattan Project

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