One Physicist's Guide to Nuclear Weapons

One Physicist's Guide to Nuclear Weapons PDF

Author: Jeremy Bernstein

Publisher: IOP Publishing Limited

Published: 2016-07-15

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780750313094

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One Physicist's Guide to Nuclear Weapons presents a truly global look at the history, use, and issues surrounding nuclear weapons from the perspective of physicist and writer Jeremy Bernstein. A first-hand witness to the development and science of nuclear weapons, he is in a unique position to highlight the ways in which nuclear weapons work with a writing style that is suitable for lay readers and scientists alike. Bernstein brings the reader on a journey from the Nevada nuclear- testing fields in the 1950's to the present day situations in Iran and North Korea, while delving into the physics and science behind the bomb. With an introduction by Sir Chris Llewellyn Smith, this book is a testament to the last seventy 70 years of the nuclear age, affecting every human being on the planet.

Nuclear Choices for the Twenty-First Century

Nuclear Choices for the Twenty-First Century PDF

Author: Richard Wolfson

Publisher: MIT Press

Published: 2021-03-23

Total Pages: 497

ISBN-13: 0262362015

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An authoritative and unbiased guide to nuclear technology and the controversies that surround it. Are you for nuclear power or against it? What's the basis of your opinion? Did you know a CT scan gives you some 2 millisieverts of radiation? Do you know how much a millisievert is? Does irradiation make foods safer or less safe? What is the point of a bilateral Russia-US nuclear weapons treaty in a multipolar world? These are nuclear questions that call for nuclear choices, and this book equips citizens to make these choices informed ones. It explains, clearly and accessibly, the basics of nuclear technology and describes the controversies surrounding its use.

The Manhattan Project

The Manhattan Project PDF

Author: B. Cameron Reed

Publisher: Morgan & Claypool Publishers

Published: 2017-05-22

Total Pages: 143

ISBN-13: 1681746069

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The development of nuclear weapons by the Manhattan Project during World War II was one of the most dramatic scientific/technological episodes in human history. This book, prepared by a recognized expert on the Manhattan Project, offers a concise survey of the essential physics concepts underlying fission weapons. The text describes the energetics and timescales of fast-neutron chain reactions, why only certain isotopes of uranium and plutonium are suitable for use in fission weapons, how critical mass and bomb yield can be estimated, how the efficiency of nuclear weapons can be enhanced, how the fissile forms of uranium and plutonium were obtained, some of the design details of the 'Little Boy' and 'Fat Man' bombs, and some of the thermal, shock, and radiation effects of nuclear weapons. Calculation exercises are provided, and a Bibliography lists authoritative print and online sources of information for readers who wish to pursue more detailed study of this fascinating topic.

The Manhattan Project

The Manhattan Project PDF

Author: Bruce Cameron Reed

Publisher:

Published: 2017

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9781681746074

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The development of nuclear weapons by the Manhattan Project during World War II was one of the most dramatic scientific/technological episodes in human history. This book, prepared by a recognized expert on the Manhattan Project, offers a concise survey of the essential physics concepts underlying fission weapons. The text describes the energetics and timescales of fast-neutron chain reactions, why only certain isotopes of uranium and plutonium are suitable for use in fission weapons, how critical mass and bomb yield can be estimated, how the efficiency of nuclear weapons can be enhanced, how the fissile forms of uranium and plutonium were obtained, some of the design details of the 'Little Boy' and 'Fat Man' bombs, and some of the thermal, shock, and radiation effects of nuclear weapons. Calculation exercises are provided, and a Bibliography lists authoritative print and online sources of information for readers who wish to pursue more detailed study of this fascinating topic.

Arms and the Physicist

Arms and the Physicist PDF

Author: Herbert F. York

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 1997-05-07

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13: 9781563960994

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From the very start, at the age of twenty-one, Herbert York was swept into the century's most daring and dangerous technical achievement, the making of the atomic bomb. In Arms and the Physicist, York takes us backstage to witness key events of our time: to the Manhattan Project for the birth of the atomic bomb; to Lawrence Livermore where the H-bomb was built; to Washington to eavesdrop on how post-war history was being forged; and to Geneva where he tried to stem the madness. Readers will meet some of our greatest heros and villains--Lawrence, Oppenheimer, Weisskopf, Teller, General Groves, President Eisenhower, and a cast of hundreds--friends, colleagues, enemies, who for more than half a century, held the fate of the world in their hands.

Nuclear Choices for the Twenty-First Century

Nuclear Choices for the Twenty-First Century PDF

Author: Richard Wolfson

Publisher: MIT Press

Published: 2021-03-23

Total Pages: 497

ISBN-13: 026254203X

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An authoritative and unbiased guide to nuclear technology and the controversies that surround it. Are you for nuclear power or against it? What's the basis of your opinion? Did you know a CT scan gives you some 2 millisieverts of radiation? Do you know how much a millisievert is? Does irradiation make foods safer or less safe? What is the point of a bilateral Russia-US nuclear weapons treaty in a multipolar world? These are nuclear questions that call for nuclear choices, and this book equips citizens to make these choices informed ones. It explains, clearly and accessibly, the basics of nuclear technology and describes the controversies surrounding its use.

The History and Science of the Manhattan Project

The History and Science of the Manhattan Project PDF

Author: Bruce Cameron Reed

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-10-16

Total Pages: 483

ISBN-13: 3642402976

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The development of atomic bombs under the auspices of the U. S. Army’s Manhattan Project during World War II is considered to be the outstanding news story of the twentieth century. In this book, a physicist and expert on the history of the Project presents a comprehensive overview of this momentous achievement. The first three chapters cover the history of nuclear physics from the discovery of radioactivity to the discovery of fission, and would be ideal for instructors of a sophomore-level “Modern Physics” course. Student-level exercises at the ends of the chapters are accompanied by answers. Chapter 7 covers the physics of first-generation fission weapons at a similar level, again accompanied by exercises and answers. For the interested layman and for non-science students and instructors, the book includes extensive qualitative material on the history, organization, implementation, and results of the Manhattan Project and the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing missions. The reader also learns about the legacy of the Project as reflected in the current world stockpiles of nuclear weapons.

Physics and Nuclear Arms Today

Physics and Nuclear Arms Today PDF

Author: David Hafemeister

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 1991-02-11

Total Pages: 406

ISBN-13: 9780883186404

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Physics and Nuclear Arms Today is a collection of the best articles written about the arms race which appeared in Physics Today between 1976 and 1989. The articles explore a wide variety of topical issues such as the effects of nuclear weapons, nuclear testing, offensive strategic weapons, defensive SDI or Star Wars weapons, nuclear nonproliferation and the social responsibility of scientists as well as a wide selection of articles which chronicle the history of nuclear weaponry. The authors also represent a broad spectrum of well known names in the physics community including Andrei Sakharov, Sidney Drell, Wolfgang Panofsky, Edward Teller, Frank von Hippel, Victor Weiskopf, and Freeman Dyson. Of interest to physicists interested in arms control issues, nuclear weapons, and international relations; science and defense policy makers.