How did you, a prisoner on death row, become an important weapon of the country? Yecheng Gao Weiming

"Sir, don't go in!"

kindness?

Feynman turned around and saw that it was Hu Hai. He couldn't help but asked angrily, "Why? He plans to kill all of us."

Hu Hai shook his head.

"Sir, do you believe it? If we go in now, it is very likely that Slotin will be shocked. If the core device and the beryllium hemisphere come into complete contact, it will immediately cause a critical accident!"

"Can you take on this responsibility?"

"I……"

Feynman was stunned.

Yes!

How can I bear this responsibility?

Although the laboratory door was not locked, anyone could push it open and enter.

Through the window, it can be seen that the experiment has obviously reached a critical stage.

If he rushed in, would he...

Feynman shook his head, broke out in a cold sweat, and looked at Hu Hai with gratitude.

"Lomanitz, are we just going to sit back and watch his crazy behavior?"

Hu Hai nodded slowly.

Yeah, just sit back and watch.

I hope that there won’t be any more accidents like those recorded in history, right?

Feynman knew the seriousness of the consequences and no longer insisted. He raised his hand and gestured, meaning that all the onlookers should keep quiet.

Everything will be decided after Slotin completes the experiment.

Everyone also knows that this is a serious matter. While they can enjoy the melon, their own lives are still more important.

The people who came gathered outside the laboratory and stared inside through the windows.

So many people watching obviously alarmed the people inside.

When everyone saw that it was Chief Engineer Feynman who came, they were surprised and wanted to remind Slotin who was fully devoted to the experiment.

But seeing Slotin bending the beryllium hemisphere, everyone looked at each other and wisely shut their mouths.

I dare not even breathe.

If this guy fails, I'm afraid everyone in this room will be in trouble.

Slotin didn't really realize that someone was coming outside.

He was biting a pen, holding the core device in his left hand, and holding a screwdriver in his right hand, slowly moving it closer to the beryllium hemisphere.

There should be a certain distance in between.

Otherwise, when a large number of neutrons all hit the beryllium hemisphere, a critical reaction will occur immediately.

And this distance is also the most critical part of the experiment.

"puff……"

Slotin turned his head and spat out the pen, speaking in a deep voice.

"Distance 10 cm, record the chain reaction value..."

"Distance 5 cm, record..."

"3 centimeters...record..."

"2 centimeters...record..."

Under the gaze of everyone, the beryllium hemisphere in Slotin's hand was getting closer and closer to the core of the atomic bomb, until the distance was so close that it could not be observed with the naked eye.

Not only the people in the room, but also the people outside took a deep breath of cool air and felt numb all over.

Play with your life!

Not only was this guy playing with his own life, he was also holding the lives of the other seven people in the laboratory in his hands.

On the instrument nearby, the values ​​kept jumping, indicating that the critical reaction was approaching the maximum value.

Do not!

There is still a gap!

Slotin glanced at the monitor and looked at the beryllium hemisphere and screwdriver in his hand.

No.

Closer!

I want to get closer!

Only by maintaining the minimum distance can we know whether the chain reaction occurs after the two parties are in full contact or within the extreme distance!

I'll do anything for science!

Slotin took a deep breath, calmed down even more, and shouted in a low voice to the assistant beside him.

"Back off! Everyone back off! Everyone retreat to the corner..."

Everyone looked around with helplessness, knowing that this guy would not give up until he tested the maximum distance today.

This is not difficult to understand!

In the Air Force, there is a type of pilot called an ace pilot, who is an elite fighter with the best flying skills in the entire Air Force.

But the guy who is even better than the ace pilot is called a test pilot.

When a test pilot gets a brand new model of aircraft, he tests it to its limits.

They would risk their lives at high altitudes to test whether the aircraft could be used in actual combat.

Therefore, the mortality rate of test pilots is extremely high, and most people would not choose to do that job.

Unless they have a passion for aerospace that is enough to cost them their lives!

And what Slotin is doing now is exactly the same as those people.

He wanted to test the critical value of the chain reaction to determine the success of the atomic bomb experiment in nine days!

This concerns the rise and fall, honor and disgrace of 15 people, and whether everyone’s three years of hard work will be in vain.

and so……

No one stopped.

Everyone just felt their hearts surge and admired Slotin's courage.

close!

Getting closer!

As everyone watched, Slotin slowly pulled out the screwdriver in his hand.

1.5 cm...

1 cm...

0.8...

0.6...

0.5...

The values ​​on the detector began to jump wildly, and the distance to the critical value was negligible.

When Slotin was about to pull the screwdriver out completely, the value had reached the maximum limit!

That is to say...

Even one millimeter further down could trigger a nuclear fission reaction!

Slotin knew he couldn't go on.

He couldn't hide his excitement and finally spoke in a low voice.

"Bring the vernier caliper! Quick, record the gap distance..."

Outside.

Feynman was equally excited.

He witnessed with his own eyes that the chain reaction caused by neutron bombardment did not require complete contact, but only a distance of less than 0.5 centimeters.

The exact amount still needs to be measured with a vernier caliper.

Someone might ask.

Does this make sense?

Anyway, before an atomic bomb explodes, it is necessary to control the neutrons to bombard the electrons outside the nucleus with all its strength, thereby producing the largest chain reaction.

In any case, they will eventually come into contact with each other thoroughly.

What is the significance of measuring their extreme distance?

Of course it makes sense.

This is a chain reaction of uncontrolled nuclear fission, and the neutron gap can be completely ignored.

But what about the controlled nuclear fission that comes later?

Nuclear reactor! What about nuclear power plant?

If we want nuclear fission to benefit mankind and apply it to people's livelihood, this kind of experiment is essential!

And, besides that.

Not only Slotin, but all those who are passionate about science must have a rigorous heart.

Science cannot be fooled.

A lot is a lot; even a millimeter or a micrometer cannot be ignored.

and so……

Feynman no longer intended to pursue Slotin's suicidal behavior and secretly cheered for him.

He just wanted to wait until the experiment was over, then rush into the house and hug this great and dedicated scientist!

That's right!

Slotin deserves the title of scientist.

Feynman held his breath and stared at Slotin's hand.

But Hu Hai, who was beside him, was so nervous that his heart was in his throat.

Being familiar with history, he understood.

If nothing unexpected happens...

An accident is about to happen.

But Hu Hai could not stop it, and as long as he tried to stop it, something might happen.

This is a dead end.

A dead end created from the very beginning!

really!

next second.

The reckless and excited assistant accidentally touched a nearby coffee cup while picking up the vernier caliper.

The coffee cup shook a bit, and when it left the support of the table, it fell down reluctantly and helplessly.

By the time the assistant realized it, it was too late.

He leaned over hastily to catch it, but missed.

Bang!

Suddenly, a crisp sound was heard in the silent laboratory.

Slotin, who was waiting for the vernier caliper, shuddered all over and pulled out all the screwdrivers without realizing it.

Snap!

The beryllium hemisphere completely touches the core device below.

In an instant, a blue light lit up!