dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaE=mc^2, \Delta H = D(H-H)$, and the end of civilization
| Authors | J. E. Hirsch |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/0510036 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0510036 |
Abstract
100 years ago Einstein discovered $E=mc^2$, the secret energy stored in ordinary mass. $\Delta H = D(H-H)$ is the chemical energy released in chemical bond formation between two H atoms. The failure to recognize the enormously different energy scales in those two equations reflected in current events may start a chain reaction this very year, on the one-hundredths anniversary of Einstein's discovery, that leads to the end of civilization. Due to the confluence of a particular set of circumstances, this particular moment is more dangerous than any other in the history of nuclear weapons. Physicists have a special responsibility to do their utmost to prevent this from happening. This paper is a call to arms. A principle to underpin nuclear non-proliferation and enhance stability is advocated.
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"abstract": "100 years ago Einstein discovered $E=mc^2$, the secret energy stored in\nordinary mass. $\\Delta H = D(H-H)$ is the chemical energy released in chemical\nbond formation between two H atoms. The failure to recognize the enormously\ndifferent energy scales in those two equations reflected in current events may\nstart a chain reaction this very year, on the one-hundredths anniversary of\nEinstein\u0027s discovery, that leads to the end of civilization. Due to the\nconfluence of a particular set of circumstances, this particular moment is more\ndangerous than any other in the history of nuclear weapons. Physicists have a\nspecial responsibility to do their utmost to prevent this from happening. This\npaper is a call to arms. A principle to underpin nuclear non-proliferation and\nenhance stability is advocated.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/0510036",
"authors": [
"J. E. Hirsch"
],
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"physics.soc-ph",
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"title": "E=mc^2, \\Delta H = D(H-H)$, and the end of civilization",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0510036"
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