α-Particles as Detonators

Abstract

THE observation recorded by Mr. Henderson in a letter to NATURE of June 10, under the above heading, appears to involve possibilities of the greatest practical importance. Mr. Henderson found that under suitable conditions an α-particle may cause the detonation of nitrogen iodide, about one α-particle in 10⁷ or 10⁸ being effective. He suggests that other unstable substances may be similarly affected. The question naturally arises as to whether any of the explosives commonly used are sufficiently unstable to be detonated in this way. As they are all very much more stable than nitrogen iodide we would expect that the chance of an α-particle causing detonation would be much smaller, so that an explosion might only occur after a lengthy exposure to a copious source of α-particles. Still, in view of the almost universal presence of small traces of radioactive matter, it is possible that some unexplained explosions have been brought about in this way. It would appear to be worth while to conduct an investigation into the possible effect of α-particles on various explosives and detonators. If it is found that there is even the remotest possibility of detonation occurring, precautions should be taken in the manufacture of explosives to reduce the radioactive contamination to the lowest possible value.