Twelve to Sixteen: 'Experiments with Atomics'
Beeler and Branley have had a fairly stable record of good information and safe experiments in their past books … though they have been occasionally weak in organization and explanation. [Experiments with Atomics,] as far as we can tell upholds that standard, though we'd advise checking with a science teacher or some other authority—as would doubtless be necessary due to the advanced nature of the material. Definitely it will need grounding and pre-established interest or a combination of both. Topics discussed—with simpler experiments and projects outlined to illustrate theory—include basics of atomic structure and electrical charges, the atomic family, discovery of radioactivity, natural and artificial radioactivity, particle acceleration for bombardment, separation of isotopes, fission, atomic reactors, plutonium and weapons—a pretty wide coverage of a big topic. The projects which are as simple as rubbing a fountain pen and as advanced as making a geiger counter, leave something to be desired as per instructions, and they'll also take time, space and money. But for the right person in the right setting, this is inspiration.
"Twelve to Sixteen: 'Experiments with Atomics'," in Virginia Kirkus' Bookshop Service, Vol. XXII, No. 5, March 1, 1954, p. 156.
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Notes: 'Experiments with Atomics'