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Publicatie Laka-bibliotheek:
Why smash atoms? (1940)

AuteurA.K.Solomon
Datum1940
Classificatie 6.01.0.40/05 (GESCHIEDENIS ONTWIKKELING KERNENERGIE)
Voorkant

Uit de publicatie:

PREFACE

This book is the outcome of innumerable arguments in which I have had to defend 
my profession because many of my friends could not understand the practical 
purpose of smashing atoms. In the book I have tried to make clear my feeling that 
the purpose of smashing atoms is not only the practical applications which arise 
as by-products; but also and more important, the deeper understanding that comes
with increasing knowledge.
But I do not want to give the impression that I work at my profession because it is 
practical. That would be putting the cart before the horse. I am a scientist because 
it is fun, because I have the opportunity of doing the things I like to do. If I felt 
that what I did was of no importance and that smashing atoms was my personal retreat 
into a less than ivory tower, I should soon cease to find it fun. Only as long as 
I am satisfied that the work is necessary can I enjoy myself putting in the long 
hours and the hard work that science demands.
To me it is important to stress that modern science is a co-operative phenomenon. 
Within physics itself, especially in machines the size of cyclotrons, the work can 
no longer be done by a single man. In spite of this, I have deliberately omitted 
the names of many whose work is fundamental to nuclear physics, not because I do 
not appreciate the value of their contributions, but for the more practical reason 
that too many names would confuse the reader.

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