Physics 107 Lectures: lecture 23 goals and outline

LECTURE 23
goals and outline

lecture title

E = mc²: Bombs, Stars, and Reactors

text pages

Ch 11, pp 134-137.

lecture goals

To understand the impact of E = mc², in stellar energy production, bombs, and reactors.
To start learning about nuclear physics, particularly the binding energy of nuclei.
To get familiar with energy diagrams, an important way to depict atomic and nuclear energy transitions.
To learn to pronounce nucleus and nuclear!

outline of lecture

1. E = mc², the Most Famous Equation
2. Nuclear Energy
3. Fusion: Stars, H-Bomb
4. Fission: A-Bomb, Reactors

quote

As long as there are sovereign nations possessing great power, war is inevitable.

I do not believe that civilization will be wiped out in a war fought with the atomic bomb. Perhaps two thirds of the people of the earth might be killed, but enough men capable of thinking, and enough books, would be left to start again, and civilization could be restored.

Since I do not foresee that atomic energy is to be a great boon for a long time, I have to say that for the present it is a menace. Perhaps it is well that it should be. It may intimidate the human race into bringing order into its international affairs, which, without the pressure of fear, it would not do.

-- Albert Einstein on the atomic bomb, Atlantic Monthly, November, 1945

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Please email any questions, comments, or suggestions to Professor Bernice Durand, bdurand@theory3.physics.wisc.edu.
Revised October 19, 1997.

Content © 1997, Bernice Durand
Images and layout © 1997, Shane Hamilton