Appendix
Glossary of terms
The Precarious Evolution of the Atom Bomb
Nucleus
This is the small dense region at the centre of the atom, containing protons and neutrons
Mass
Not be confused with weight, this is a measure of how much matter is contained within an object
Fission fragements
The less heavy elements that are produced after the fission reaction. In the case of the fission of U-236, the fission fragments are Kr-92 and Ba-141
Chain reaction
This occurs when one single nuclear reaction causes an avergae of one or more subsequent nuclear reactions, meaning the reaction could possibly become self-propagating.
Fissile material
This is material that has the ability to perform a fission reaction. it is sutibly unstbale that with the addition of another neutron, the atomic nucleus will split into lgihter fragments.
Strong nuclear force
One of the four fundamental forces of nature (the other being, gravity, electromagnetism and the weak nuclear force). it is an attractive force that holds protons and neutrons together, and overcomes the force of repulsion between the protons of the same charge.
Binding energy
The minimum quantity of energy it would take for the nucleus to be disassembled into its component parts.
Isotopes
An isotope is one or more species of a atom that has the same number of protons within it (hence is the same chemical element) but has a different number of neutrons, so the mass of the atom is different.
Kilotons / Megatons
Units of measurement that correspond respectively to 100,000 and 1,000,000 tons of TNT exploding. TNT stands for Trinitrotoluene and is a nitrogen based chemical that is used as the standard measurement for explosive power. 1 tonne (1000 kg) of TNT equals a release of around 4 x 109 J of energy
Enriched Uranium
This is a type of Uranium that has an increased composition of U-235 (which is highly fissile Uranium isotope used in atomic bombs) via the industrial process of isotope separation.
Ionise
When an atom loses (usually) one of its orbiting electrons, it becomes ionised and the atom no longer has a neutral charge as there are. more positively charged protons than negatively charged electrons.
Stratosphere / Troposphere
The Troposphere is the bottom layer of the Earth’s atmosphere where nearly all weather conditions takes place. The Stratosphere is the layer above this zone and contains the ozone layer.
The Advancement of Modern Missile Technology
Aerodynamics
The study of the properties of moving air and the interaction between air and solid bodies moving through it.
Projectile Motion
A form of motion experienced by an object that is projected near the Earth’s surface and moves along a curved path under the action of gravity only.
Accelerometer
An instrument for measuring the acceleration of a moving or vibrating body
Orthogonal
Intersecting or lying at right angles.
Integration
The technique of finding a function, the derivative of which is equal to a given function. (In the case of this article, the given function is acceleration, and the function to be found is velocity)
Hyperbole
A symmetrical open curve formed by the intersection of a circular cone with a plane at a smaller angle with its axis than the side of the cone.
The Radar Revolution
Electric field
A region in which a charged particle will experience a force.
Magnetic Field
A region in which a moving charged particle will experience a force.
Electromagnetic Wave
A wave consisting of electric and magnetic fields travelling at right angles to the direction of travel and to each other.
Centripetal Force
A force directed towards the centre of a circle, causing the object in which the force is acting on to move in a circle.
Tizzard Mission
An infamous British mission with the goal of sharing recently developed technology ,capable of application to warfare, with the United States.