History Extra podcast Power & terror: a history of the nuclear age
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Jul 27, 2025 
Frank Close, Professor Emeritus of Theoretical Physics at Exeter College, Oxford, dives into the intriguing history of the nuclear age. He discusses the late 19th-century discoveries that ignited advancements in nuclear physics. Topics include the pivotal breakthroughs in radioactivity and atomic structure, the major contributions of scientists like the Curies and Enrico Fermi, and the contrasting perspectives on nuclear fission. Close reflects on how these scientific milestones interplayed with historical events, ultimately shaping our understanding of power and terror.
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Atomic Revolution Unveiled
- The third industrial revolution is the atomic or nuclear revolution, discovering the atom's inner structure and massive energy potential.
- This revolution began in the late 19th century and changed understanding of matter and energy fundamentally.
The Accidental Discovery of Radioactivity
- Wilhelm Röntgen discovered X-rays in 1895 by accident, startling scientists with their ability to pass through matter.
- Henry Becquerel found uranium spontaneously emits radiation, igniting the discovery of radioactivity.
Atoms Are Mostly Empty Space
- J.J. Thomson discovered electrons, proving atoms have internal structure and carry negative charge.
- Ernest Rutherford later found the atom's positive charge concentrated in a tiny nucleus, revealing atoms are mostly empty space.
