Available for loan without charge from the AEC Headquarters Film
Library, Division of Public Information, U. S. Atomic Energy Commission,
Washington, D. C., and from other AEC film libraries.
Each of the following motion pictures explains atomic structure,
fission, and the chain reaction. Additional contents are listed below
with the film.
_A Is for Atom_, 15 minutes, sound, color, 1964. Produced by the General
Electric Company. This film discusses natural and artificially
produced elements, stable and unstable atoms, principles and
applications of nuclear reactors, and the benefits of atomic
radiation to biology, medicine, industry, and agriculture. (Level:
elementary through high school.)
_Atomic Energy_, 10 minutes, sound, black and white, 1950. Produced by
Encyclopedia Britannica Films, Inc. The film explains nuclear
synthesis and shows how, through photosynthesis, the sun’s energy
is stored on earth and released through combustion. (Level:
intermediate through high school.)
_Controlling Atomic Energy_, 13½ minutes, sound, color, 1961. Produced
by United World Films, Inc. This film gives a summary explanation
of the following: radioactive atoms, radioactivity measurement,
nuclear reactors, and the production and application of
radioisotopes in biology, medicine, industry, agriculture, and
research. (Level: 5th through 8th grades.)
_Introducing Atoms and Nuclear Energy_, 11 minutes, sound, color, 1963.
Produced by Coronet Instructional Films. This film discusses
nuclear fusion in the sun and, very briefly, the uses of nuclear
energy. (Level: 4th through 9th grades.)
_Atomic Physics_, 90 minutes, sound, black and white, 1948. Produced by
the J. Arthur Rank Organisation, Inc. This film discusses in
detail the history and development of atomic energy with emphasis
on nuclear physics. Dalton’s basic atomic theory, Faraday’s early
electrolysis experiments, and Mendeleev’s periodic table, the
investigation of cathode rays, discovery of the electron, how the
nature of positive rays was established, and the discovery of X
rays are among the historical highlights. Explanation is presented
of the work of the Joliot-Curie’s and Chadwick in the discovery of
the neutron, and the splitting of the lithium atom by Cockcroft
and Walton. Einstein tells how their work illustrates his theory
of equivalence of mass and energy. (Level: high school.)
_Unlocking the Atom_, 20 minutes, sound, black and white, 1950. Produced
by United World Films, Inc. This film explains the properties of
alpha, beta, and gamma rays, cyclotrons, and the contributions of
various scientists. (Level: junior and senior high school.)
This “Understanding the Atom” series of semi-technical lecture films is
designed for inclusion in a high school senior-level chemistry or
physics course, or it could be used as an introductional unit in nuclear
science at the college level. The films all have sound and are in black
and white.
_Alpha, Beta, and Gamma_, 44 minutes, 1962.
_Radiation and Matter_, 44 minutes, 1962.
_Radiation Detection by Ionization_, 30 minutes, 1962.
_Radiation Detection by Scintillation_, 30 minutes, 1963.
_Properties of Radiation_, 30 minutes, 1962.
_Nuclear Reactions_, 29½ minutes, 1963.
_Radiological Safety_, 30 minutes, 1963.