Nuclear chem/physics fun reads - cross post

[chocolate-chip chooky]

Hi folks.

I'm looking for book recommendations for intro nuclear chem/physics. 

I'm not after a textbook, necessarily. Something with humour or history would be great. This is more for interest than to tick any curriculum boxes.

My daughter (12) gets a tad frustrated when her chemistry texts touch on nuclear chem but say 'this is outside the scope of this program'. I'd love to hand her a good, fun, interesting read related to this.

All input is appreciated 🙂 

[Dicentra]

2 hours ago, chocolate-chip chooky said:

Hi folks.

I'm looking for book recommendations for intro nuclear chem/physics. 

I'm not after a textbook, necessarily. Something with humour or history would be great. This is more for interest than to tick any curriculum boxes.

My daughter (12) gets a tad frustrated when her chemistry texts touch on nuclear chem but say 'this is outside the scope of this program'. I'd love to hand her a good, fun, interesting read related to this.

All input is appreciated 🙂 

I don't have any suggestions that I've read myself but these might be worth looking into:

Introduction to Nuclear Science by Jeff Bryan

The Physics of the Manhattan Project by Bruce Reed

Principles of Nuclear Chemistry by Peter McPherson

I think it's hard to find general interest books on nuclear chemistry/physics because it's a complicated and abstract subject - an author would need to assume a fair amount of background knowledge to be able to make the book interesting and not just another intro level textbook. 🙂

Hmmm...  Digging a little more, I found this one:

Superheavy: Making and Breaking the Periodic Table by Kit Chapman (but this won't be released until August 27, 2019 so she'll have to be patient :))

Actually, that one looks really interesting.  I'm putting it on my own "want to read" list. 🙂

 

[Kareni]

Here's another book to consider ~

"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!": Adventures of a Curious Character

"One of the most famous science books of our time, the phenomenal national bestseller that "buzzes with energy, anecdote and life. It almost makes you want to become a physicist" (Science Digest).

Richard P. Feynman, winner of the Nobel Prize in physics, thrived on outrageous adventures. In this lively work that “can shatter the stereotype of the stuffy scientist” (Detroit Free Press), Feynman recounts his experiences trading ideas on atomic physics with Einstein and cracking the uncrackable safes guarding the most deeply held nuclear secrets—and much more of an eyebrow-raising nature. In his stories, Feynman’s life shines through in all its eccentric glory—a combustible mixture of high intelligence, unlimited curiosity, and raging chutzpah. "

Regards,

Kareni

[chocolate-chip chooky]

My daughter loved studying the Manhattan Project, so you've both offered some fabulous ideas.

Thank you so much 🌻