This day, 6th August, marks the anniversary when in 1945, the first, and to date only, nuclear weapons were used in war. A uranium bomb nicknamed Little Boy, exploded over the Japanese city of Hiroshima and three days later a plutonium bomb nicknamed Fat Man detonated close to Nagasaki. By the end of that yearContinue reading “Atomic Time Machine”
Category Archives: Isotopes
Atomic Butterflies
When I first moved to my current house some 20-years ago, my next-door neighbour had a buddleia growing in their garden which overhung part of my driveway. In the summer, the shrub was a resting spot for a multitude of red admiral butterflies, which exploded into a swarm if I got too close. Sadly, thatContinue reading “Atomic Butterflies”
Murder and Atoms
Richard Hill and fellow hikers were walking in the Yorkshire Dales, about an hour’s drive from where I live, when they stopped to take a photograph. He stood by a stream near to the Sell Gill Holes caves in Pen-y-ghent but didn’t notice, just behind him, was the face-down body of a half-naked woman. TheyContinue reading “Murder and Atoms”
Luminous toothpaste
Imagine my delight when I discovered a toothpaste that promised luminous teeth. I imagined lighting my way at night with a glowing smile, or even having British teeth brighter than those in the United States. Of course, I’m not so gullible to take this literally and can spot marketing hyperbole when I see it. Nevertheless,Continue reading “Luminous toothpaste”
Is Science Popular?
Scientists often despair at the general lack of scientific understanding by the general public. And to be fair, that understanding is not brilliant, evidenced by regular surveys. I have summarised a snapshot of a series of surveys from across the world below to illustrate the point. Percentage of people getting the right answer to aContinue reading “Is Science Popular?”
A surprise from old lead piping
I’m having construction work done on my house. The chimney breast in the kitchen is being removed to open out the space, which has turned out to be an arduous and dirty job. There have however, been some interesting surprises. At the back of the chimney breast I found an old water boiler, probably closeContinue reading “A surprise from old lead piping”
Brain cells and the atomic bomb
Reports appeared in the press recently proclaiming that humans produce new brain cells throughout their lives (for example, The Guardian ). This account appears to contradict previous reports such as in The Conversation and in Discover Magazine Don’t we all wish these scientists could make up their mind (pun intended)? The most recent accounts thatContinue reading “Brain cells and the atomic bomb”
Graham Lappin 