Talk:Atomic radiation

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In the 1950's I studued Atomic Physics etc. at a very basic level at RCA Institute, we learned that some of the information was theory and although it appeared to work, there was, as yet no way to prove them. One theory I worked on as a student was: it appeared to me that the release of electro magnetic energy an atomic explosion could seriously disrupt radio communications and power generation, radar, etc. in fact anything that depended on radio waves and magnetics. The instructor said I was probably right, but there was no practical way to prove it without consequences. If anything was known at the time from atomic explosions it was still secret. I never became an expert of any kind, but I had occasion in later years to experiment with various sources of low level radiation,although I didn't have the knowledge or equipment necessary, I believe that I could detect an effecy on small magnetic circuits by exposing them. My involvement was pre- transistor, computers and etc. With businesses, automobiles, traffic lights, machinery and just about everything we could name that today depends on the flow of electrons and sub atomics , I wonder if any studies have been done to prepare for the event of an accidental or intentional release of massive amounts of nuclear power radiation. Could we still function, should we prpeare alternatives for power, transportation , etc. Would a small dirty bomb disrupt everything in an office building, including the computer controlled elevators ? Does anyone know ? Certainly the Gov't must have considered it and it must have data from nuclear tests. Just wondering, Charlie W.