The Manhattan Project : a very brief introduction to the physics of nuclear weapons / B. Cameron Reed.

Author
Reed, Bruce Cameron [Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Published/​Created
  • San Rafael, CA : Morgan & Claypool Publishers, [2017]
  • Bristol, UK : IOP Publishing
  • ©2017
Description
1 volume (various pagings) : illustrations (some color), maps ; 26 cm.

Availability

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Location Call Number Status Location Service Notes
Lewis Library - Stacks QC790 .R446 2017 Browse related items Request

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    Biographical/​Historical note
    Bruce Cameron Reed is the Charles A. Dana Professor of Physics at Alma College, Alma, Michigan. He holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Waterloo in Canada. In addition to a quantum mechanics text and three other books on the Manhattan Project (including the IOP Concise Physics volume Atomic Bomb: The Story of the Manhattan Project), he has published over 100 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals on research in the fields of astronomy, data analysis, quantum physics, mathematics, nuclear physics, the history of physics, and the physics of nuclear weapons. In 2009 he was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society 'For his contributions to the history of both the physics and the development of nuclear weapons in the Manhattan Project.' In 2016 he was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Physics. He lives in Michigan with his wife Laurie.
    Summary note
    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.
    Notes
    • "Version: 20170501"--Title page verso.
    • "A Morgan & Claypool publication as part of IOP Concise Physics"--Title page verso.
    Bibliographic references
    Includes bibliographical references.
    Contents
    • Preface
    • 1. The background
    • 2. Nuclear fission
    • 3. Criticality and efficiency
    • 4. Obtaining fissile material
    • 5. Los Alamos, Little Boy, Fat Man, Trinity, Hiroshima and Nagasaki
    • 6. Effects of nuclear weapons
    • 7. Legacy.
    Other title(s)
    Very brief introduction to the physics of nuclear weapons.
    ISBN
    • 9781681746043 ((print))
    • 1681746042 ((print))
    OCLC
    989968071
    Statement on language in description
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