Atomic energy Quote by Francis William Aston
“Personally I think there is no doubt that sub-atomic energy is available all around us, and that one day man will release and control its almost infinite power. We cannot prevent him from doing so and can only hope that he will not use it exclusively in blowing up his next door neighbour. (1936)”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Royal Society, 1936
Sub‑atomic energy pervades everything; humanity may eventually harness its immense power, but risks misuse.
In simple terms: Energy is everywhere and could be controlled.
Key Takeaway
Pursue safe, responsible energy development.
Themes
science
energy
future
ethics
Mood
cautious
optimistic
Type
scientific
ethical
When to use this quote
- energy policy
- research funding
- global security
Key Concepts
nuclear physics
technological optimism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure ethical use of powerful energy?
- What safeguards are needed?
A Different Perspective
Potential for catastrophic misuse exists.
![“Should the research worker of the future discover some means of releasing this [atomic] energy in a form which could be employed, the human race will have at its command powers beyond the dream of scientific fiction.” quote by Francis William Aston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/95d/francis-william-aston-44310_atomic-energy_should-the-research-worker-of-the-future_1627368.jpg)
![“Should the research worker of the future discover some means of releasing this [atomic] energy in a form which could be employed, the human race will have at its command powers beyond the dream of scientific fiction, but the remotest possibility must always be considered that the energy once…” quote by Francis William Aston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4ff/francis-william-aston-44310_atom_should-the-research-worker-of-the-future_1221591.jpg)
![“If the atoms in [a] decimetre cube of lead were all put into a chain side by side the same distance apart as they are in the normal lead, the strings of atoms so formed would reach over six million million miles.” quote by Francis William Aston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e13/francis-william-aston-44310_atoms_if-the-atoms-in-a-decimetre-cube-of-lead_2343157.jpg)
![“[S]uppose you make a hole in an ordinary evacuated electric light bulb and allow the air molecules to pass in at the rate of 1,000,000 a second, the bulb will become full of air in approximately 100,000,000 years.” quote by Francis William Aston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/247/francis-william-aston-44310_air_s-uppose-you-make-a-hole-in-an-ordinary_2762745.jpg)
