Reading Guide
for Richard Rhodes, "Neutrons" from The Making of the Atmoic Bomb
Recommended: Read from the bottom of page 303 first, then read what lead into it.
[Basic =3/4 credit] Identify at least 5 scientific questions relevant to assessing in 1939 the feasibility of a sustained nuclear chain reaction or a nuclear weapon.
[Deeper, building on the information above = full credit] Explain the significance of neutrons (as expressed in Rhodes' chapter title) in assessing nuclear chain reactions and in indicating what research or experiments were needed next.
[Challenging, building on the information above = 5/4 credit or 3815] Provide your own scientific assessment of the evidence in 1939 for the feasibility of nuclear weapons: what would you have recommended at the meeting of the Committee on Uranium (regarding secrecy and funding, for example, perhaps considering the political context)?
See Web Excursions for background on nuclear physics.
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