dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaTeaching About Nature's Nuclear Reactors
| Authors | J. Marvin Herndon |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/0507088 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0507088 |
Abstract
Naturally occurring nuclear reactors existed in uranium deposits on Earth long before Enrico Fermi built the first man-made nuclear reactor beneath Staggs Field in 1942. In the story of their discovery, there are important lessons to be learned about scientific inquiry and scientific discovery. Now, there is evidence to suggest that the Earth's magnetic field and Jupiter's atmospheric turbulence are driven by planetary-scale nuclear reactors. The subject of planetocentric nuclear fission reactors can be a jumping off point for stimulating classroom discussions about the nature and implications of planetary energy sources and about the geomagnetic field. But more importantly, the subject can help to bring into focus the importance of discussing, debating, and challenging current thinking in a variety of areas.
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"abstract": "Naturally occurring nuclear reactors existed in uranium deposits on Earth\nlong before Enrico Fermi built the first man-made nuclear reactor beneath\nStaggs Field in 1942. In the story of their discovery, there are important\nlessons to be learned about scientific inquiry and scientific discovery. Now,\nthere is evidence to suggest that the Earth\u0027s magnetic field and Jupiter\u0027s\natmospheric turbulence are driven by planetary-scale nuclear reactors. The\nsubject of planetocentric nuclear fission reactors can be a jumping off point\nfor stimulating classroom discussions about the nature and implications of\nplanetary energy sources and about the geomagnetic field. But more importantly,\nthe subject can help to bring into focus the importance of discussing,\ndebating, and challenging current thinking in a variety of areas.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/0507088",
"authors": [
"J. Marvin Herndon"
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"title": "Teaching About Nature\u0027s Nuclear Reactors",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0507088"
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