Physics/Global Studies 280 : Physics/Global Studies 280 Session 1
Module 1: Introduction to the Course
Introduction of Physics 280 Staff : Introduction of Physics 280 Staff Frederick K. Lamb, Course Director and Instructor Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Jurgen Scheffran, Lecturer Research Scientist, ACDIS Program
James Coggeshall, TA Physics
Justin Cook Physics
Izabela Dziubinski, TA Rhetoric/Creative Writing, ESL Instructor
Erica Lynn Electrical Engineering
Mark Regula Linguistics and International Studies
Frederick Lamb – 1 : Frederick Lamb – 1 Faculty member at the University of Illinois since 1970
Fortner Endowed Chair in Theoretical Astrophysics Director of the Center for Theoretical Astrophysics
Research focus is high-energy and relativistic astrophysics
Black holes and strong-field gravity
Neutron stars, pulsars, and ultradense matter
X-ray and gamma-ray stars
Played a leadership role in the conception, development, launch, and successful operation of NASA’s Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer satellite mission
Chair of NASA’s Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer satellite mission planning group
Frederick Lamb – 2 : Frederick Lamb – 2
Faculty member in the Illinois Program in Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security
Consultant to the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of State. US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, and the U.S. Congress (intelligence and foreign relations)
Consultant to the Institute for Defense Analyses on arms control, ballistic missile flight, nuclear weapon tests, space weapons, U.S. space-launch capabilities, and space and aerospace vehicles, computerized battle simulations
Chief technical expert consultant for the Department of Defense program to verify restrictions on underground nuclear testing
Member, technical support committee for the U.S. delegation to the 1989–90 U.S.–Soviet negotiations on nuclear testing
Co-chair of 2001–2003 American Physical Society Study of Boost-Phase Ballistic Missile Defense
Introduction of Some Physics 280 Students : Introduction of Some Physics 280 Students Your name?
Year in school?
Major?
Any background in the subject?
Why are you taking the course?
What do you hope for from the course?
History of Physics 280 : History of Physics 280 First offered in Spring 1982
Course development motivated by concern about the growing threat of nuclear weapons and nuclear war
Taught by a team of 13 faculty volunteers from the Physics, Astronomy, and (then) Nuclear Engineering departments
Second offering in Spring 1983
Co-taught by Frederick Lamb and Jeremiah Sullivan
Submitted and approved as a regular course
Has been taught every spring semester since
Has served as model for courses elsewhere
Most courses elsewhere have died off
Physics 280 is arguably the longest running course of its kind
Physics 280 Topics : Physics 280 Topics Introduction—brief history of the development of nuclear weapons and attempts to control them; nuclear terrorism
Nuclear weapon physics and designs
Nuclear explosions—effects of a single explosion, of a nuclear war, comparison to effects of biological, chemical, and radiological weapons
Nuclear weapon delivery systems
Nuclear weapon programs and arsenals
Nuclear arms control—treaties and other approaches to controlling nuclear weapons, verification technology
Missile defenses—past, present, and future
Conclusions and future directions
Physics 280 Web Site : Physics 280 Web Site http://online.physics.uiuc.edu/courses/phys280/Spring07/
Introduction to Physics 280 – 1 : Introduction to Physics 280 – 1 Course information
The P280 web site is “Central Command” for this course
Write web site URL on blackboard
Consult it often—every day, if possible—for assignments and updates
Class meetings
Lectures (slides posted on Physics 280 website after each lecture)
Videos, demos, Q&A, discussions of readings and current events
Writing Labs
Explanation of writing assignments
Instruction and guidance on how to write for the course
Writing exercises
Help in revising first versions of writings
Introduction to Physics 280 – 2 : Introduction to Physics 280 – 2 Required Texts
The Little, Brown Essential Handbook for Writers, by Jane E. Aaron
What Terrorists Want, by Louise Richardson
The Gravest Danger, by Sidney D. Drell and James E. Goodby (available as a PDF file on the P280 ‘Links’ page)
OTA Report on Technologies Underlying Weapons of Mass Destruction (available as a PDF file on the P280 ‘Links’ page)
Nuclear Terrorism, by Graham Allison
Reading and Writing Assignments and Guidance
All will be posted on the course website
You should check the course website daily Optional readings and other materials
You are encouraged to read New York Times (NYT) and other sources of national and international news about topics related to Physics 280
You are also encouraged to bring interesting articles, TV programs, and movies to the attention of the Instructors
Introduction to Physics 280 – 3 : Introduction to Physics 280 – 3 Physics 280 is an Advanced Composition Course
Previous credit for a Composition course is an absolute prerequisite
Even if you have already met the UI Advanced Composition requirement, you must do all the writing assignments
You must submit four Required Essays (40% of total course score)
1, 2, 3, and 4 pages in length, respectively
Each must be revised once
Both versions count equally
High penalty for late submissions
You may submit up to two Extra Credit Essays (1.5 pages ea.)
Each counts the same as one version of an essay
Scores add to total essay score until 100% is reached
Introduction to Physics 280 – 4 : Introduction to Physics 280 – 4 You must submit a Research Paper (30% of total course score)
On a topic chosen in consultation with the instructor
Your proposal must be approved on advance by the instructor
Your paper must address both technical and policy aspects of some issue (balance need not be 50–50)
Grades on first and second versions count equally
An early start is imperative!
We strictly enforce the UI’s rules on academic integrity
All assignments are checked by course staff for compliance with the UI’s rules on academic integrity( see the course web site for a link)
All writing assignments are scanned using plagiarism detection software
Introduction to Physics 280 – 5 : Introduction to Physics 280 – 5 In-Class Mid-Term Exam (10% of total course score)
Closed book
Tests factual knowledge and understanding
Writing quality not graded
Scheduled Final Exam (20% of total course score)
Closed book
Tests factual knowledge and understanding
Writing quality of answers not graded
Will emphasize material presented after midterm exam
Physics 280: Session 1 : Physics 280: Session 1 Plan for Next Session (Thursday)
Questions and Announcements
Video “Race for the Superbomb” (PBS), Part 2
Discussion of the video
Write Required Essay 1 Version 1 (RE1v1) in class
Your RE1v1 must be handed to a TA before you leave class
Physics 280: Session 2 : Physics 280: Session 2 “Race for the Superbomb”, Part 2
Physics 280: Session 2 : Physics 280: Session 2 In-class Writing Assignment Required Essay 1, Version 1 (RE1v1) — must be handed in before leaving class
Choose one important problem related to nuclear weapons that the United States currently faces. It need not be the most important problem. It should involve a technological issue, a policy issue, or both. Write a 2-paragraph essay with the following structure:
In the first paragraph, state clearly the problem and why it is important.
In the second paragraph, give your recommendation for how the United States should deal with the problem.
Further guidance:
Each paragraph should begin with a strong topical sentence that tells the reader what to expect in the paragraph.
If your essay has more than 2 paragraphs, you will receive a score of zero!
Do not make the paragraphs too long. This is a 1-page (typed) essay.
Use active voice!
You will be graded on the content and clarity of your writing, not the number of words.
Avoid unnecessary words, especially adjectives an adverbs.
A 2-paragraph essay has no room for telling the reader what you will do or for repetition—just say what you want to say, once!
Physics 280: Session 3 : Physics 280: Session 3 “Race for the Superbomb”, Part 3
Physics 280: Session 3 : Physics 280: Session 3 Discussion of “Race for the Superbomb”
Physics 280: Session 3 : Physics 280: Session 3 “Weapons of Mass Destruction”
Nuclear Weapons Are the Only True “Weapons of Mass Destruction” : Nuclear Weapons Are the Only True “Weapons of Mass Destruction” Only nuclear weapons are truly “weapons of mass destruction” and only nuclear weapons threaten the survival of the U.S.
Nuclear weapons are the only weapons that could —
Kill millions of people almost instantly
Destroy the infrastructure and social fabric of the United States
Even a simple fission weapon can release a million times more destructive energy per kilogram than conventional explosives.
Chemical and biological weapons do not have this capacity.
For these reasons, nuclear weapons were for decades considered the only weapons of mass destruction.
“Weapons of Mass Destruction” : “Weapons of Mass Destruction”
In recent years there has been a tendency to include in this same category —
radiological weapons (“dirty bombs”)
chemical weapons
biological agents
a single hand grenade!
Broadening the definition in this way obscures the profound differences in the
lethality and destructiveness
timescales on which effects are felt
possibility of protecting against them (or not)
Broadening the definition in this way also distracts us from focusing on the most dangerous threat, the threat posed by nuclear weapons
Radiological Weapons : Radiological Weapons A radiological weapon is a device that spreads radioactive material
Such a weapon is a weapon of mass disruption, not a mass destruction
Release of radioactive material in a city would not —
physically damage structures
immediately injure anyone
It probably would —
contaminate a few city blocks with intensely radioactive material
contaminate a larger area with more weakly radioactive material
If explosives were used to disperse the material, the explosion could cause a small amount of damage and some injuries.
Depending on their exposure to radiation and how they were treated —
100 s or perhaps even 1,000 s of people could become sick
a larger number could have a somewhat higher probability of developing cancer or other diseases later
The main effect would be to create fear and disrupt normal activities
Chemical Weapons : Chemical Weapons A chemical weapon is a device that releases toxic chemicals.
Release of toxic chemicals in a city would not cause mass destruction but would —
create fear
disrupt normal activities
possibly cause a large number of casualties.
The most deadly chemicals, such as nerve gases, are complicated to synthesize, extremely dangerous to handle, and difficult to use effectively.
A complex long-term effort would be needed to develop and effectively deliver such an agent.
If dispersed effectively, a chemical agent could contaminate a substantial area.
If toxic enough, it might cause 100 s or even 1,000 s of casualties, but it would not destroy buildings or vital infrastructure.
Precautions before and after such a release and rapid medical treatment and decontamination afterward could reduce substantially the number of casualties, especially for less deadly agents.
Biological Weapons : Biological Weapons Release of a biological agent would create fear and disrupt normal activities, but would not cause mass destruction.
In order to cause mass casualties, substantial amounts of agents such as anthrax, smallpox, and plague would have to be converted into tiny particles and then dispersed in an aerosol.
Because these agents are so deadly, the required forms and the equipment needed to disperse them are difficult to come by.
A complex long-term effort would be needed to develop and effectively deliver such an agent.
A pathogen such as anthrax that does not produce contagious disease could be used to attack a particular building or city.
A pathogen such as smallpox that produces a deadly contagious disease would be a “doomsday” weapon, because it could kill millions of people around the glob, including the group or nation that released it.
In countries with an effective public health service, prompt quarantine, vaccination, and other measures could reduce the number of casualties, the area affected, and the time required to get the disease under control.
In less-developed countries, a contagious deadly disease could be devastating..
Nuclear Weapons : Nuclear Weapons In contrast to a chemical or biological agent, a “small” (10 kiloton) nuclear weapon detonated in a major city would kill more than 100,000 people and reduce tens of square kilometers to rubble almost instantly.
Even a crude nuclear device that fizzled would destroy many square kilometers of a city and kill tens of thousands of people.
A large (1 megaton) nuclear weapon could kill millions of people and destroy hundreds of square kilometers within a few seconds.
Those who survived a nuclear explosion would have to deal with severe physical trauma, burns, and radiation sickness. Vital infrastructure would be destroyed or damaged, and radioactivity would linger for years near and downwind of the explosion.
Unlike the effects of a chemical or biological weapon, the devastating effects of a nuclear weapon on a city cannot be reduced significantly by actions taken before or after the attack.