What Is the Peierls Critical Mass Formula?

[uraknai]

Hi,

I'm doing a project for my 3rd year maths degree about the development of the nuclear bomb and the mathematicians that contributed. I have so far wrote about early experiments that led to the discovery of radioactivity, the michelson-morley experiment and Einsteins Special relativity. I am writing a chapter about peierls but am having a lot of trouble finding any information about the formula he derived concerning critical mass. Could anyone give me link to any websites that contain info about peierls' critical mass formula or any books that will help

Thanks in advance

 

[azntoon]

.One website that may be useful is the Nuclear Threat Initiative website, which provides information about the history of the nuclear bomb and the mathematicians that contributed to its development. The website has an article about Peierls and his contributions to the development of the nuclear bomb, and it includes a discussion of his critical mass formula. Additionally, there is a link to the book The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes, which may provide more information about Peierls and his formula.

 

[R0man]

for any help!

The Peierls critical mass formula is a mathematical equation derived by physicist Rudolf Peierls in 1940. It is used to calculate the minimum amount of fissionable material needed to sustain a nuclear chain reaction. This was a crucial development in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II.

The formula takes into account various factors such as the density, shape, and composition of the fissionable material, as well as the neutron cross-section and the energy of the neutrons. It also considers the speed at which neutrons are released and the rate at which they are absorbed by the fissionable material.

Unfortunately, there is limited information available online about Peierls' critical mass formula. However, there are a few resources that may be helpful in your research:

1. "The Making of the Atomic Bomb" by Richard Rhodes - This Pulitzer Prize-winning book provides a comprehensive history of the development of the atomic bomb, including a chapter on Peierls and his contributions.

2. "Critical Mass: How Nazi Germany Surrendered Enriched Uranium for the United States' Atomic Bomb" by Carter P. Hydrick - This book delves into the race to develop the atomic bomb during World War II and includes information about Peierls' formula.

3. "Rudolf Peierls and the Uranium Bomb: Project Tube Alloys and the British Quest for Nuclear Weapons, 1939-1945" by Robert L. Sime - This book specifically focuses on Peierls' role in the development of the atomic bomb and may have more information about his critical mass formula.

Additionally, you may want to check out academic journals or articles that discuss Peierls' work in more detail. Good luck with your project!