Copyright © 1958, by Criterion Books, Inc.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 58-8783

Designed by Sidney Feinberg

MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BY AMERICAN BOOK-STRATFORD PRESS, INC., NEW YORK

Preface

This book has been written for the layman whohas no knowledge about atoms, bombs and radioactivity. Heknows that the world is made of atoms, that bombs mightdestroy it and that radioactivity could make it a place muchless agreeable to live in.

We should like to give some advice about the use of thebook: Each chapter can be read by itself. The chapters neednot be taken in the order in which they are printed. To readthem all will give a more complete understanding—and ifyou have time it is best to read them in the order they arearranged. Some of the earlier chapters perhaps overflow withfacts. In some later chapters we wish that more facts wereavailable. These latter the reader will probably understandand remember quite easily. He may not agree with all oftheir contents. On the other hand the more scientific chapters(II to VIII) will not be questioned but may be harder toread and to remember. It will be a help to keep this in mind:No chapter follows from another but most chapters are relatedand support some other part of the book.

Our knowledge about fallout is increasing rapidly. Some6questions which are raised in the book may already have beenanswered. With this added knowledge we might have beenmore quantitative in some of our statements. But we believethe main conclusions would not be altered.

This book was completed before the Sputniks. In theirpresent form these have little to do with the subject of nuclearenergy. However, to our mind, the urgency has becomegreater for the non-scientist to understand those parts ofscience and technology which may affect his safety and well-being,and the safety and well-being of his country. We hopethat this book will contribute in some measure to suchunderstanding.

Contents

  Preface 5

I. The Need to Know 13

II. Atoms 18

III. Nuclei 26

IV. The Law of Radioactive Decay 37

V. Breakup of the Nucleus 41

VI. Reactions Between Nuclei 49

VII. Fission and the Chain Reaction 58

VIII. Action of Radiation on Matter 68

IX. The Test 80

...