Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls

Name: Frisch-Peierls memorandum — - Part 1
Author: Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls

Summary

“Frisch-Peierls memorandum — - Part 1”, is a work by Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls. It explores elements such as bomb, uranium and explosion.

Quotes from Frisch-Peierls memorandum — - Part 1 (Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls)

Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls, Frisch-Peierls memorandum — - Part 1

“ At the same time it is quite possible that nobody in Germany has yet realized that the separation of the uranium isotopes would make the construction of a super-bomb possible. Hence it is of extreme importance to keep this report secret since any rumour about the connection between uranium separation and a super-bomb may set a German scientist thinking along the right lines. If one works on the assumption that Germany is, or will be, in the possession of this weapon, it must be realized that no shelters are available that would be effective and that could be used on a large scale. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls, Frisch-Peierls memorandum — - Part 1

“ It is a property of these super-bombs that there exists a “critical size” of about one pound. A quantity of the separated uranium isotope that exceeds the critical amount is explosive, yet a quantity less than the critical amount is absolutely safe. The bomb would therefore be manufactured in two (or more) parts, each being less than the critical size, and in transport all danger of a premature explosion would be avoided if these parts were kept at a distance of a few inches from each other. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls, Frisch-Peierls memorandum — - Part 1

“ As a weapon, the super-bomb would be practically irresistible. There is no material or structure that could be expected to resist the force of the explosion. If one thinks of using the bomb for breaking through a line of fortifications, it should be kept in mind that the radioactive radiations will prevent anyone from approaching the affected area for several days; they will equally prevent defenders from reoccupying the affected positions. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls, Frisch-Peierls memorandum — - Part 1

“ The detection staff would have to know exactly the greatest dose of radiation to which a human being can safely be exposed for a short time. This safe limit is not at present known with sufficient accuracy and further biological research for this purpose is urgently required. As regards the reliability of the conclusions outlined above, it may be said that they are not based on direct experiments, since nobody has ever built a super-bomb yet, but they are mostly based on facts which, by recent research in nuclear physics, have been very safely established. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls, Frisch-Peierls memorandum — - Part 1

“ The attached detailed report concerns the possibility of constructing a "super-bomb" which utilises the energy stored in atomic nuclei as a source of energy. The energy liberated in the explosion of such a super-bomb is about the same as that produced by the explosion of 1,000 tons of dynamite. This energy is liberated in a small volume, in which it will, for an instant, produce a temperature comparable to that in the interior of the sun. The blast from such an explosion would destroy life in a wide area. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls, Frisch-Peierls memorandum — - Part 1

“ The only uncertainty concerns the critical size for the bomb. We are fairly confident that the critical size is roughly a pound or so, but for this estimate we have to rely on certain theoretical ideas which have not yet been positively confirmed. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls, Frisch-Peierls memorandum — - Part 1

“ Owing to the spread of radioactive substances with the wind, the bomb could probably not be used without killing large numbers of civilians, and this may make it unsuitable as a weapon for use by this country. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls, Frisch-Peierls memorandum — - Part 1

“ This is vital since the radiations kill instantly only in very strong doses whereas weaker doses produce delayed effects and hence near the edges of the danger zone people would have no warning until it was too late. For their own protection, the detection squads would enter the danger zone in motor-cars or airplanes which would be armoured with lead plates, which absorb most of the dangerous radiation. ”

Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls

Summary

Quotes from Frisch-Peierls memorandum — - Part 1 (Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls)

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