BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

The Reith Lectures

Significant international thinkers deliver the BBC's flagship annual lecture series.

The Reith Lectures: Robert Oppenheimer - Science and the Common Understanding: Science as Action: Rutherford's World

22/11/1953

Science as Action: Rutherford's World

Robert Oppenheimer - Science and the Common Understanding

BBC Radio 4 - The Reith Lectures, Robert Oppenheimer - Science and the Common Understanding, Science as Action: Rutherford's World

Professor Robert Oppenheimer explores the importance of Rutherford and the alpha-particle.

Professor Robert Oppenheimer explores the importance of Rutherford and the alpha-particle in his second Reith Lecture from his series 'Science and the Common Understanding'.

This year's Reith Lecturer is American theoretical physicist Robert Oppenheimer. Professor of Physics at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, he has been described as the "father of the atomic bomb" for his role in the Manhattan Project while Director of Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory between 1943–45. In his Reith lectures entitled 'Science and the Common Understanding', he examines the impact of quantum and atomic theory on society.

In his second lecture entitled 'Science as Action: Rutherford's World', Professor Oppenheimer discusses the cumulative character of science. He explores how some theories transcend others and uses the example of Rutherford and the alpha-particle to explain this premise.

The Reith Lectures: Robert Oppenheimer - Science and the Common Understanding

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Robert Oppenheimer examines the impact of quantum and atomic theory on society.

The American theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer examines the impact of quantum and atomic theory on the way societies view themselves and others in six Reith lectures.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Reith Lectures

Robert Oppenheimer - Science and the Common Understanding

Science as Action: Rutherford's World

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4

About this data