Babbage from The Economist (subscriber edition)

The bomb (part 1): were nuclear weapons inevitable?

Jul 16, 2025
Frank Close, a physicist and author of "Destroyer of Worlds," dives into the origins of nuclear weapons, tracing their birth from early 20th-century scientific breakthroughs. He discusses pivotal discoveries in atomic theory, including the roles of Marie Curie and Ernest Rutherford. The conversation highlights the collaborative efforts behind the atomic bomb during World War II and the ethical concerns surrounding its development. Close also touches on modern implications for nuclear deterrence and the evolution of facilities like Los Alamos.
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INSIGHT

Nuclear Physics Origins

  • Nuclear physics began with a mystery about what atoms are made of, not with weapons intent.
  • The report traces the science from radioactivity discovery to the atomic bomb’s creation in 1945.
INSIGHT

Atoms Are Not Immutable

  • Radioactivity revealed that atoms could emit energy continuously and change from one element to another.
  • This overturned the earlier belief that atoms were immutable, revolutionizing matter understanding.
INSIGHT

Atom’s Nuclear Structure

  • Rutherford’s gold foil experiment revealed atoms have a tiny, dense, positively charged nucleus.
  • This discovery led to the model of electrons orbiting a central nucleus, akin to a mini solar system.
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