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Chapters 1-5

• The following version of this book was used to create this Lesson Plan: Muller, Author Richard A. Physics for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines. W. W. Norton & Company, 2008. Hardcover.

• Section I, “Terrorism,” begins with the question of what the next terrorist attack might be: nuclear explosion, dirty bomb, commercial planes blown up, or an airplane crashed into a skyscraper.

• Presidents have the responsibility to anticipate and prevent terrorist attacks.

• Knowing some physics can help with that responsibility.

• In Chapter 1, “Nine-Eleven,” using an airplane with 60 tons of jet fuel enabled terrorists to bring down the World Trade Center.

• The 60 tons of jet fuel released the energy of 900 tons of TNT.

• Gasoline has more energy than TNT.

• TNT is not used because of it high energy content, but because it releases energy rapidly.

• The transfer of energy from the exploding jet fuel created a high temperature...

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