Economist Podcasts The bomb (part 1): were nuclear weapons inevitable?
21 snips
Jul 16, 2025 
Frank Close, a renowned physicist and author of "Destroyer of Worlds," discusses the intricate history behind nuclear weapons. He delves into the evolution of atomic theory and the pivotal discoveries that led to the realization of nuclear fission. Listeners will learn about the collaborative efforts between British and American scientists during World War II, the engineering challenges faced at Los Alamos, and the dramatic moment of the Trinity test that ignited the nuclear age. Close also reflects on the profound implications for global geopolitics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Rutherford Discovers the Nucleus
- Ernest Rutherford discovered the nucleus by firing alpha particles at gold and observing unexpected deflections.
- This revealed a dense, positively charged nucleus surrounded by electrons, changing atomic structure understanding.
Fermi's Neutron Breakthrough
- Enrico Fermi used neutrons instead of alpha particles to irradiate uranium, bypassing electrical repulsion.
- He unknowingly split uranium nuclei, key to nuclear weapons development, but did not realize it then.
Nuclear Fission Explained
- Meitner and Frisch explained nuclear fission as a uranium nucleus deforming and splitting into smaller parts.
- This process released vast energy and matched observed radioactive decay patterns in uranium experiments.
