Wally Rosenthal, age 14, of Huntington VaIley
What exactly is atomic energy?
The sun has been pouring out atomic energy for billions of years and, on a smaller scale, so have the radioactive rocks in the earth’s crust. The Atomic Age of our history began when science learned how to release this seething energy. Chances are, a scientist will call it nuclear energy. For it is the energy locked in the nucleus or core of the tiny atom.
A row of 100 million atoms measures about an inch and each atom is made from assorted particles. We get heat and electric power from the restless activity of the widely separated electron particles. The particles in the core or nucleus are welded together in a tight, dense wad by a powerful binding energy, The nature of each atom depends upon the number of protons in the nucleus. If, for example, an atom of zinc loses one proton it becomes an atom of copper.
This simple change, however, does not happen without a violent upheaval within the atom ‑ during which nuclear energy is released. We do not fully understand the binding energy in the nucleus. But we know something of the upheaval which happens when an atom either gains or loses some of its tightly welded nuclear particles. Atomic particles are made of matter, they have mass, size and weight. In an atomic or nuclear upheaval, some of the matter or mass of these tiny particles is converted directly into energy.
In nuclear fission, or atom splitting, the seething energy is released
when sizable atoms are broken into smaller atoms. In nuclear fusion, fragments are converted into energy when smaller atoms are made into larger atoms. Radioactive rocks release energy by nuclear fission. The sun, it is thought, releases energy by nuclear fusion as small atoms of hydrogen are made Into larger atoms of helium.
The nuclear energy pours out from the upheaval with explosive force and terrific heat. The explosion carries high speed particles in all directions. Some of them almost reach the speed of light and travel fast enough to pierce a brick wall. Many of the flying bullets crash into nearby atoms, smashing them apart and forcing them, too, to release nuclear energy.
Certain atoms‑are unstable, more likely to change and release nuclear energy. If we could release all the nuclear energy in an ounce of plutonium, it is estimated tnat we would have enough power to take a liner several times around the world. Medium sized atoms, especially those with an equal number of protons and neutrons, tend to be stable and of no use as atomic fuels.
Ian also has found that the tiny atom is a tough teacher. It has set us a problem and offered a reward. You fellows are smart enough, it seems to argue, to release my nuclear energy • you should then be smart enough to solve your ancient problem of warfare. We can control nuclear fission in a reactor and use it to make cheap electricity ‑ we also can make nuclear weapons. When we solve the tremendous problem of warfare, the rewards of nuclear energy will be equally tremendous. For the tough little teacher is also very fair.