How World War II influenced chemistry
- Mahaletchumi Muthukumar
- Sep 20, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 5, 2024
World War II is one of the most monumental periods of history, beginning with Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland under the rule of Adolf Hitler on September 1st 1939. During this time, the importance of chemistry became evident. This article will explore the crucial contributions of chemistry during the war and how the outcomes paved the way for modern chemistry.
Chemistry was central to Nazi endeavours, contributing to various aspects of their war effort. One of the most notorious uses of chemistry was in the development of gas chambers which were used in the mass genocide of Jews. The main components of the gases used in the lethal gas chambers were carbon monoxide and Zyklon B.
Carbon monoxide was initially used before the discovery of Zyklon B. As you may know from your chemistry lessons at school, carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. It is a colourless and odourless gas making it impossible to detect, the gas can bind onto haemoglobin, and the iron-containing protein is then unable to transport oxygen around the body which ultimately causes death by asphyxiation (oxygen deprivation)
Zyklon B was originally used as a pesticide; it contains hydrogen cyanide (HCN), known for its poisonous properties. The potent chemical hinders the function of cytochrome c oxidase, an enzyme responsible for cellular respiration. This generally leads to death by hypoxia (oxygen deprivation).
The development of chemistry during World War II made lasting impressions. The urgency and desperation for more efficient resources accelerated the creation of many products, such as synthetic materials, propellants, weapons and drugs. For example, the production of the antibiotic penicillin was revolutionary in pharmaceutical chemistry. The experimental methods used to mass produce penicillin influenced the way chemists now produce widespread drugs, without this mortality rates would be significantly higher.
Another example is the Manhattan Project, the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, successfully built the atomic bomb. The development of the bomb altered the way nuclear chemistry is applied. During World War II, nuclear chemistry was used as a weapon. However, in today's society, nuclear chemistry is used in medicine, such as in cancer treatment through radiology. It is also applied in energy production, like in nuclear power plants, which use controlled nuclear reactions to produce heat.
Ultimately, World War II was a catalyst for the chemical advancements in today’s society. Without the reliance on chemists to be more efficient and innovative, many of the techniques and resources available today wouldn’t exist. The impacts of the war continue to shape the field of chemistry influencing everything from medicine to agriculture.
Citations:
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