Nuclear Energy History Chapter 8

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Questions and Answers

The discovery of which particle in 1932 by Chadwick helped advance our understanding of the atomic nucleus?

Electron

Alpha particle

Neutron (correct)

Proton

Which of these events did not directly contribute to the understanding of radioactivity?

Einstein's equation $E = mc^2$

Rutherford's discovery of the atomic nucleus

Becquerel's discovery of gamma rays from uranium

Roentgen's discovery of X-rays (correct)

The discovery of which phenomenon, directly led to the development of nuclear energy?

Radioactivity (correct)

The Compton effect

The Zeeman effect

The photoelectric effect

Which scientist’s work directly contributed to the understanding of the atomic nucleus?

Rutherford (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Einstein's famous equation, $E=mc^2$, in the context of nuclear energy?

It describes the energy released in nuclear reactions. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scientists contributed to the initial discovery of fission, but did not have the correct explanation for it?

Hahn and Strassmann (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary scientific advancement that paved the way for the discovery of nuclear fission?

Development of the particle accelerator (cyclotron) in 1932. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT directly associated with the discovery of nuclear fission?

Chemical binding effects related to neutron bombardment of uranium. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was Fermi's primary contribution to the understanding of nuclear fission?

Fermi predicted the possibility of a chain reaction involving neutrons. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements accurately describes the role of the press in the understanding of nuclear fission?

The press played a crucial role in disseminating Fermi's theories about fission to a wider audience. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of President Eisenhower's "Atoms for Peace" speech?

To establish a global nuclear energy agency for peaceful uses with safeguards against weapons proliferation (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)?

To regulate and monitor the global nuclear energy industry for safety and security purposes. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the IAEA help its member nations develop nuclear applications in various fields?

By offering training programs, expert advice, and materials to facilitate research and development. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What specific mechanism does the IAEA employ to prevent the diversion of nuclear materials to military purposes?

Through a system of international safeguards involving reporting and inspections. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the IAEA's focus on isotopes and radiation in developing countries?

To promote the advancement of basic science and research related to nuclear applications. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant concern regarding the practical feasibility of creating a nuclear weapon?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the scientific community's voluntary censorship on fission research in 1940?

To protect the military potential of fission from falling into the wrong hands. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why did the United States Army Corps of Engineers take the lead in the Manhattan Project?

To guarantee military security for sensitive information. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary motivation for the initial $6,000 grant for fission research?

To explore the potential for using fission for military purposes. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What crucial role did the discovery of Plutonium in 1941 play in the development of nuclear weapons?

It provided an alternative fissile material to Uranium-235 for weapon development. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 8: The History of Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy encompasses classical physics/chemistry and modern physics.
Investigations into nuclear physics have spanned over 100 years.
1887: Electron identified as a charged particle responsible for electricity.
1895: Roentgen discovered penetrating X-rays from a discharge tube.
1896: Becquerel discovered gamma rays emitted from uranium, demonstrating radioactivity.
1905: Einstein's famous formula E = mc².
1919: Rutherford discovered the nucleus of an atom is positive, containing most of the atom's mass, surrounded by electrons.
1930: Bothe and Becker bombarded beryllium with alpha particles, revealing neutrons (later confirmed by Chadwick in 1932).
1932: Development of particle accelerators (cyclotrons).
1934: Curie and Joliot reported artificial radioactivity.
1930s: Fermi conducted experiments with neutrons, discovering their affinity for various elements, leading to the creation of numerous radioisotopes.
1936: Breit and Wigner provided a theoretical explanation for slow neutron processes.
Fermi measured the distribution of fast and thermal neutrons, explaining their behavior in terms of scattering, chemical binding, and thermal motion of target molecules.
1939: Hahn and Strassmann found barium as a product of neutron bombardment of uranium, leading to the crucial discovery of nuclear fission.
Frisch and Meitner hypothesized that fission was responsible for the appearance of barium, signifying the energetic nature of fission fragments.
Fermi proposed the possibility of a self-sustaining chain reaction.
1940: Significant advancements in nuclear physics research emerged.
1942 (December 2nd): First man-made self-sustaining chain reaction (Chicago Pile-1)
Knowledge of chain reaction characteristics was derived including moderation, thermal/resonance capture, fission of U-235, fission fragment energy, neutron release, and transuranic element production.

Development of Nuclear Weapons

The discovery of fission highlighted its explosive potential, significant during World War II starting in 1939.
Military implications led to voluntary censorship of scientific publications in 1940.
Studies revealed the fissile nature of plutonium discovered in 1941 .
Leading scientists like Szilard, Wigner, Sachs, and Einstein contacted President Roosevelt in July 1939, outlining the possibility of an atomic bomb.
A small $6000 grant was made for experimental chain reaction testing.
By end of WWII, a total of $2 billion had been spent (a substantial sum).
The Manhattan Project (code name) was initiated, a major effort involving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under General Leslie Groves.
Questions about achieving chain reactions, producing Pu-239, the possibility of a nuclear explosion, the separation of uranium-235, were crucial to the project.
These questions were addressed at numerous locations simultaneously.

Post-War & The Atomic Energy Act

After WWII, Congress implemented the Atomic Energy Act (1946) and expanded it (1954) to manage and control the exploitation of nuclear energy for non-military purposes.
Issues like military involvement, security of information, and scientist freedom were important considerations in initial policy discussion.
The Act declared that nuclear energy development should improve well-being, increase living standards, support free enterprise, and promote global peace.
The Act was structured to manage policies through private and federal R&D, controlling fissionable materials, and reporting to Congress.
Distribution of radioactive by-product materials was addressed.
The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) was created, consisting of five commissioners and a general manager.

The IAEA

In 1953, President Eisenhower's "Atoms for Peace" speech profoundly influenced nuclear energy's trajectory.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was established by the UN in 1957.
The IAEA aimed to accelerate atomic energy usage to enhance global peace, health, and prosperity.
Main functions: helping members develop nuclear applications, fostering research, and supplying nuclear materials/equipment.
Safeguards: International verification and monitoring of nuclear materials and facilities for peaceful use

Reactor Research & Development

The AEC oversaw U.S. nuclear programs (military and civilian), establishing national laboratories (Oak Ridge, Argonne, Los Alamos, Brookhaven) for continued nuclear research activities.
A crucial objective was achieving practical commercial nuclear power.
Oak Ridge initially looked into gas-cooled reactors then high-flux reactors using highly enriched uranium.
The National Reactor Testing Station (Idaho) built the Materials Testing Reactor.
Westinghouse adapted the submarine reactor as a commercial power plant in Shippingport (Pennsylvania) beginning operations in 1957 (60 MW output).
The use of Uranium dioxide pellets as fuel became a significant step for pressurized water reactors.
Other research included breeding plutonium in fast reactors at Argonne and developing direct-steam generation in reactors, culminating in the BORAX tests.
Development of the boiling water reactor (BWR) technology.
By the early 1960s, Westinghouse and GE promoted large-scale nuclear plants (approximately 500 MWe).
Orders for nuclear steam supply systems surged in the late 1960s.
Rapid growth of nuclear power capacity.
Reduction in the rate of nuclear plant installation after 1970, due to factors like prolonged design/construction time, energy conservation, and public opposition.

The Nuclear Controversy

Initial enthusiasm for nuclear power waned in the 1960s due to a confluence of factors like youth movement opposition to authority, environmental concerns regarding industrial pollution and radioactivity releases, improper hazardous waste management, loss of public trust post-Watergate, and sharp scientific differences in opinion concerning the safety and wisdom of nuclear power development.
Issues like the unknown hazard of reactors, radioactivity, and radiation, and the association between nuclear power and weapons fueled further controversy and skepticism.

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Description

Explore the critical milestones in the history of nuclear energy and its scientific foundations in this quiz. From the discovery of the electron to the development of particle accelerators, this chapter reveals over a century of advancements in nuclear physics. Test your knowledge and learn more about key figures and events that shaped this important field.