Stuff You Missed in History Class SYMHC Classics: Demon Core
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Dec 14, 2024 Dive into the chilling history of the Demon Core, a plutonium sphere that played a pivotal role in World War II and led to fatal criticality accidents. Discover the precarious choices scientists made during nuclear experiments and the tragic stories of Louis Slotin and Harry Dallion Jr. Uncover the lasting impact of these incidents on safety protocols and worker training in nuclear facilities. The narrative highlights the evolution of safety measures that emerged from these dark events, shedding light on the risks of nuclear research.
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First Demon Core Accident
- Harry Daghlian, a graduate student, caused a criticality accident while working with the Demon Core.
- He dropped a tungsten carbide brick onto the core, resulting in a fatal radiation dose.
Second Demon Core Accident
- Louis Slotin, a physicist, caused a second criticality accident with the Demon Core using a beryllium sphere.
- The screwdriver he was using slipped, causing the sphere to close completely and expose him to a fatal dose.
Public Perception of Accidents
- Public perception of the two accidents differs, with more sympathy towards Daghlian.
- Daghlian was a less experienced student, while Slotin was a senior scientist aware of the risks.