Atom-smashing machinesonce the mysterious toys of theoretical physicistshave recently been put to everyday metallurgical chores:
> In assaying ores, Geologists at M.I.T. have announced that when a sample of rock is bombarded with neutrons (heavy nuclear particles) from the cyclotron, some elements in the ore become radioactive and give off particles which can be detected either 1) on a photographic film in contact with the ore, or 2) with a Geiger counter, an instrument which clicks or marks a tape as each particle shoots through it. Since each element has a unique rate of radioactive decay (e.g., radioactivity of manganese...
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