Read the following website describing the science behind the atomic bomb. Describe the difference between nuclear fusion and fission. Which process makes a “better bomb?”
Fusion (Hydrogen Bomb) – Fusion reactions usually begin with fission, however, this type of reaction derives its power from the fusing of nuclei of various hydrogen isotopes into helium nuclei (Bellis, 2017).
Fission (Atomic Bomb) – A nuclear reaction in which an atomic nucleus splits into fragments -usually two fragments of relatively similar mass- causing the emission of an exponential amount of energy (Bellis, 2017).
The process of Fusion makes a “better bomb” because of the additional step of the fusing of nuclei, allowing for more of the bomb’s explosive power to become available (Pappas, 2017). The hydrogen bomb emits more energy because of this extra step, making the bomb exponentially more destructive. This process again, begins with fission and the separation of nuclei (Pappas, 2017). Once this has begun, high temperatures are pressures from the action of fission cause the hydrogen atoms to fuse (Pappas, 2017). The process of fusion releases neutrons, which boosts the fission chain reaction (Pappas, 2017).
Topic 2
The use of gunpowder changed the nature of warfare and played a significant role in the transformation of European Society. Yet in China, its land of origin, gunpowder did not have this effect. Why do you think this is so? What possible differences existed between Medieval Europe and Traditional China?
Gunpowder did not affect China in the ways it did Europe because of the means by which such technology is developed and employed. As stated in the text, “… the creation and use of technologies are parts of larger processes that involve existing social patterns, cultural orientations, and the motivations of individual people.” (Volti, 2010 p. 274). According to the lecture notes from this unit, gunpowder was at first utilized for medicinal purposes in China, not for warfare. However, the Chinese did eventually utilize gunpowder as a weapon, just not in the manner that the Europeans did when they finally got ahold of it (Whipps, 2008). This is possibly due to the differences in the fighting style and the demand for weaponry between China and Medieval Europe. Europeans happily accepted the use of gunpowder into war, as it allowed for those with little to no skill to participate in battle (Whipps, 2008). I think it is fairly safe to make the inference that the Chinese did not hold a similar opinion, otherwise the use of cannons and guns would have been more widespread. There was also a greater demand for the use of gunpowder in Medieval Europe as opposed to China, because Europe was engaged in more wars and confrontations at that time (Whipps, 2008).
References
Bellis, Mary. (2017, July 31). Atomic Bomb and Hydrogen Bomb.
Pappas, S. (2017, September 22). Hydrogen Bomb vs. Atomic Bomb: What’s the Difference?
Volti, R. (2010). Society and Technological Change(6th ed.). Worth Publishers.
Whipps, H. (2008, April 06). How Gunpowder Changed the World. R
A. Roman
Topic 1
Read the following website describing the science behind the atomic bomb. Describe the difference between nuclear fusion and fission. Which process makes a “better bomb?”
Nuclear fission is said to be started with or is a “nuclear reaction in which an atomic nucleus splits into fragments; while emitting 100 million to several hundred million volts of energy” (Bellis, 2017). On the other hand, nuclear fusion is started when or with a “fission reaction; powered from fusing nuclei of fission of various hydrogen isotopes into helium nuclei” (Bellis, 2017). Simply put, fission is splitting one atom into two and fusion is combining two atoms into a larger, heavier one (Energy, 2013). It is said that fission is better and more often used because the results can be controlled. “Fusion is not utilized to produce power since the reaction is not easily controlled and it is expensive to create the needed conditions for a fusion reaction” (Energy, 2013).
Topic 2
The use of gunpowder changed the nature of warfare and played a significant role in the transformation of European Society. Yet in China, its land of origin, gunpowder did not have this effect. Why do you think this is so? What possible differences existed between Medieval Europe and Traditional China?
Our text goes into great detail as to why the invention of gunpowder played a significant role into the transformation of not only European Society, but of warfare in general. What the text didn’t do, or I could not find, was explain why China didn’t have the same effect with gunpowder. What I did find was that the Chinese were actually “inventors of gunpowder; using it originally for medicinal purposes” (Volti, 2010, p. 261). Through further research I found that because of “their quest to find immortality, chemists had created gunpowder. Once they figured it had explosive properties, they kept the science to themselves” (Whipps, 2008). The article that I found went into further detail to say that the Chinese used the gunpowder to fend off enemies of feuding colonies within China. It wasn’t until the 13th Century that China had “passed their science along the ancient silk trade route” (Whipps, 2008) that others (including the Europeans) discovered gunpowder and its uses. I believe that Traditional China and Medieval Europe were different in the sense of where they were as nations that caused the use of gunpowder and its effects to not affect or influence China. The Chinese had used it internally to remain in control of they own lands, but Europe used it as a weapon or means to invade other countries.
References
Bellis, M. (2017, July 31). The Science Behind Nuclear Fission & Fusion.
Energy, D. (2013, January 30). Fission vs. Fusion- What’s the Difference?
Volti, R. (2010). Society and Technological Change Sixth Edition. New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Whipps, H. (2008, April 6). How Gunpowder Changed the World
