Michael Wiescher - Böcker

This book provides an accessible introduction to radioactivity. The first in a two-volume set, this volume is presented in two parts, covering radiation physics and natural radiation exposure.It first explores the discovery and physics of the phenomenon of radioactivity, covering the discovery of radioactive decay and the historical development of the physics and applications of radioactivity through to 1940. Chapters then present descriptive summaries of the physics of the atom and the atomic nucleus, mass and energy conditions, the nature of isotopes, and the different decay patterns. Chapter three discusses decay laws and introduces natural origins of radioactivity as well as methods for producing radioactive isotopes through nuclear reaction processes in reactor and accelerator. The book then provides an introduction on dosimetry, radiation chemistry and impact of radiation on biological systems.The second half of the book details natural radioactivity and the role of radioactivity in the formation of the planetary system and our Earth. The author describes how the inner radioactivity of our planet determines its dynamics and how it could have contributed to the origins of life. The volume concludes with an exploration of the external and internal radioactivity to which humans are exposed and their possible side effects.This book will be of interest to non-science undergraduate and physics graduate students alike, as well as to interested lay-people looking for an introduction to radioactivity. Key Features:- Written in an accessible style, to be understood by readers without a formal scientific education- Highly illustrated throughout- Authored by an expert in the field, drawing from decades of experience in experimental nuclear physics

This book provides an accessible introduction to radioactivity. The second in a two-volume set, this volume is presented in two parts, covering its development and modern applications.It first explores the development and applications of technically enhanced natural radioactivity (TENR) and addresses nuclear energy sources, the fission and fusion processes, and the issues of radioactive fallout from nuclear weapon use and test programs. Later chapters explore the cutting-edge medical applications of radioactive materials in diagnostics and therapy, exploring nuclear medicine technologies such as x-ray tomography, brachytherapy, and positron emission tomography (PET). They also detail the broad range of applications of radioactive materials in industrial production processes, in the sterilization of tools and materials in the medical and the food industries, and in the analysis of art and archaeological material to analyse paintings and painting techniques to identify fakes and forgeries. The book concludes with a discussion of the societal impact and understanding of radioactivity, alongside detailing the underlying reasons for its negative preconceptions and the possible mitigation of these through better education and information practices.This book will be of interest to non-science undergraduate and physics graduate students alike, as well as to interested lay-people looking for an introduction to radioactivity.Key Features:- Written in an accessible style, to be understood by readers without a formal scientific education- Highly illustrated throughout- Authored by an expert in the field, drawing from decades of experience in experimental nuclear physics

This book provides an accessible introduction to radioactivity. The first in a two-volume set, this volume is presented in two parts, covering radiation physics and natural radiation exposure.It first explores the discovery and physics of the phenomenon of radioactivity, covering the discovery of radioactive decay and the historical development of the physics and applications of radioactivity through to 1940. Chapters then present descriptive summaries of the physics of the atom and the atomic nucleus, mass and energy conditions, the nature of isotopes, and the different decay patterns. Chapter three discusses decay laws and introduces natural origins of radioactivity as well as methods for producing radioactive isotopes through nuclear reaction processes in reactor and accelerator. The book then provides an introduction on dosimetry, radiation chemistry and impact of radiation on biological systems.The second half of the book details natural radioactivity and the role of radioactivity in the formation of the planetary system and our Earth. The author describes how the inner radioactivity of our planet determines its dynamics and how it could have contributed to the origins of life. The volume concludes with an exploration of the external and internal radioactivity to which humans are exposed and their possible side effects.This book will be of interest to non-science undergraduate and physics graduate students alike, as well as to interested lay-people looking for an introduction to radioactivity. Key Features:- Written in an accessible style, to be understood by readers without a formal scientific education- Highly illustrated throughout- Authored by an expert in the field, drawing from decades of experience in experimental nuclear physics

This book provides an accessible introduction to radioactivity. The second in a two-volume set, this volume is presented in two parts, covering its development and modern applications.It first explores the development and applications of technically enhanced natural radioactivity (TENR) and addresses nuclear energy sources, the fission and fusion processes, and the issues of radioactive fallout from nuclear weapon use and test programs. Later chapters explore the cutting-edge medical applications of radioactive materials in diagnostics and therapy, exploring nuclear medicine technologies such as x-ray tomography, brachytherapy, and positron emission tomography (PET). They also detail the broad range of applications of radioactive materials in industrial production processes, in the sterilization of tools and materials in the medical and the food industries, and in the analysis of art and archaeological material to analyse paintings and painting techniques to identify fakes and forgeries. The book concludes with a discussion of the societal impact and understanding of radioactivity, alongside detailing the underlying reasons for its negative preconceptions and the possible mitigation of these through better education and information practices.This book will be of interest to non-science undergraduate and physics graduate students alike, as well as to interested lay-people looking for an introduction to radioactivity.Key Features:- Written in an accessible style, to be understood by readers without a formal scientific education- Highly illustrated throughout- Authored by an expert in the field, drawing from decades of experience in experimental nuclear physics

The first volume is presented in two parts, covering radiation physics and natural radiation exposure.It first explores the discovery and physics of the phenomenon of radioactivity, covering the discovery of radioactive decay and the historical development of the physics and applications of radioactivity through to 1940. Chapters then present descriptive summaries of the physics of the atom and the atomic nucleus, mass and energy conditions, the nature of isotopes, and the different decay patterns. Chapter three discusses decay laws and introduces natural origins of radioactivity as well as methods for producing radioactive isotopes through nuclear reaction processes in reactor and accelerator. The book then provides an introduction on dosimetry, radiation chemistry and impact of radiation on biological systems.The second half of the book details natural radioactivity and the role of radioactivity in the formation of the planetary system and our Earth. The author describes how the inner radioactivity of our planet determines its dynamics and how it could have contributed to the origins of life. The volume concludes with an exploration of the external and internal radioactivity to which humans are exposed and their possible side effects.The second volume is presented in two parts, covering its development and modern applications.It first explores the development and applications of technically enhanced natural radioactivity (TENR) and addresses nuclear energy sources, the fission and fusion processes, and the issues of radioactive fallout from nuclear weapon use and test programs. Later chapters explore the cutting-edge medical applications of radioactive materials in diagnostics and therapy, exploring nuclear medicine technologies such as x-ray tomography, brachytherapy, and positron emission tomography (PET). They also detail the broad range of applications of radioactive materials in industrial production processes, in the sterilization of tools and materials in the medical and the food industries, and in the analysis of art and archaeological material to analyse paintings and painting techniques to identify fakes and forgeries. The book concludes with a discussion of the societal impact and understanding of radioactivity, alongside detailing the underlying reasons for its negative preconceptions and the possible mitigation of these through better education and information practices.These books will be of interest to non-science undergraduates and nuclear astrophysics physics graduate students looking for an introduction to radioactivity, in addition to interested laypeople.Key Features:Written in an accessible style, to be understood by readers without a formal scientific educationHighly illustrated throughoutAuthored by an expert in the field, drawing from decades of experience in experimental nuclear physics

The first volume is presented in two parts, covering radiation physics and natural radiation exposure.It first explores the discovery and physics of the phenomenon of radioactivity, covering the discovery of radioactive decay and the historical development of the physics and applications of radioactivity through to 1940. Chapters then present descriptive summaries of the physics of the atom and the atomic nucleus, mass and energy conditions, the nature of isotopes, and the different decay patterns. Chapter three discusses decay laws and introduces natural origins of radioactivity as well as methods for producing radioactive isotopes through nuclear reaction processes in reactor and accelerator. The book then provides an introduction on dosimetry, radiation chemistry and impact of radiation on biological systems.The second half of the book details natural radioactivity and the role of radioactivity in the formation of the planetary system and our Earth. The author describes how the inner radioactivity of our planet determines its dynamics and how it could have contributed to the origins of life. The volume concludes with an exploration of the external and internal radioactivity to which humans are exposed and their possible side effects.The second volume is presented in two parts, covering its development and modern applications.It first explores the development and applications of technically enhanced natural radioactivity (TENR) and addresses nuclear energy sources, the fission and fusion processes, and the issues of radioactive fallout from nuclear weapon use and test programs. Later chapters explore the cutting-edge medical applications of radioactive materials in diagnostics and therapy, exploring nuclear medicine technologies such as x-ray tomography, brachytherapy, and positron emission tomography (PET). They also detail the broad range of applications of radioactive materials in industrial production processes, in the sterilization of tools and materials in the medical and the food industries, and in the analysis of art and archaeological material to analyse paintings and painting techniques to identify fakes and forgeries. The book concludes with a discussion of the societal impact and understanding of radioactivity, alongside detailing the underlying reasons for its negative preconceptions and the possible mitigation of these through better education and information practices.These books will be of interest to non-science undergraduates and nuclear astrophysics physics graduate students looking for an introduction to radioactivity, in addition to interested laypeople.Key Features:Written in an accessible style, to be understood by readers without a formal scientific educationHighly illustrated throughoutAuthored by an expert in the field, drawing from decades of experience in experimental nuclear physics

The book highlights the personal and scientific struggles of Arthur Erich Haas (1884-1941), an Austrian Physicist from a wealthy Jewish middle-class family, whose remarkable accomplishments in a politically hostile but scientifically rewarding environment deserve greater recognition.Haas was a fellow student of both Lise Meitner and Erwin Schrödinger and was also one of the last doctoral students of Ludwig Boltzmann. Following Boltzmann's suicide, Haas was forced to submit a more independent doctoral thesis in which he postulated new approaches in early quantum theory, actually introducing the idea of the Bohr radius before Niels Bohr. It is the lost story of a trailblazer in the fields of quantum mechanics and cosmology, a herald of nuclear energy and applications of modern science. This biography of Haas is based on new and previously unpublished family records and archived material from the Vienna Academy of Science and the University of Notre Dame, which the author has collected over many years. From his analysis of the letters, documents, and photos that rested for nearly a century in family attics and academic archives, Michael Wiescher provides a unique and detailed insight into the life of a gifted Jewish physicist during the first half of the twentieth century. It also sheds light on the scientific developments and thinking of the time. It appeals not only to historians and physicists, but also general readers. All appreciate the record of Haas’ interactions with many of the key figures who helped to found modern physics.

The book highlights the personal and scientific struggles of Arthur Erich Haas (1884-1941), an Austrian Physicist from a wealthy Jewish middle-class family, whose remarkable accomplishments in a politically hostile but scientifically rewarding environment deserve greater recognition.Haas was a fellow student of both Lise Meitner and Erwin Schrödinger and was also one of the last doctoral students of Ludwig Boltzmann. Following Boltzmann's suicide, Haas was forced to submit a more independent doctoral thesis in which he postulated new approaches in early quantum theory, actually introducing the idea of the Bohr radius before Niels Bohr. It is the lost story of a trailblazer in the fields of quantum mechanics and cosmology, a herald of nuclear energy and applications of modern science. This biography of Haas is based on new and previously unpublished family records and archived material from the Vienna Academy of Science and the University of Notre Dame, which the author has collected over many years. From his analysis of the letters, documents, and photos that rested for nearly a century in family attics and academic archives, Michael Wiescher provides a unique and detailed insight into the life of a gifted Jewish physicist during the first half of the twentieth century. It also sheds light on the scientific developments and thinking of the time. It appeals not only to historians and physicists, but also general readers. All appreciate the record of Haas’ interactions with many of the key figures who helped to found modern physics.

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