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Physics Electric and Magnetic Fields
Physics Electric and Magnetic Fields
HS PS3-5
HS PS3-5
Biology
LS2-1 Factors Affecting Ecosystems
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Chemistry PS1 8 Radioactivity/Nuclear Chem
Project Zero THINKING ROUTINES--see below
Phenomenon
Radioactivity of Brazil Nuts Atomic Insights
How does the radioactivity arise?
How much of a problem is it? Give details!
Radioactivity
Alpha-, beta-, gamma-radiation
Radioactive decay
Measuring radioactivity
Nuclear energy
Humans and radiation
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HS-PS1-8 Matter and its Interactions
Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy
released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.
Visuals of radioactivity
Vast amounts of energy involved
Performance Expectation
Grade: High School (9-12)
Radioactive decay of uranium
Philatelic origin CC0
Aerospace CONNECTIONS:
Applications and examples
Radioactivity in space American Nuclear Society
R/a in space exploration nuclear connect
Applications and examples:
Atomic clocks
Nuclear-powered satellites and probes
Radioisotope thermionic generators
Energy.gov PD
Inquiry science
Printable activity
On-line activity:
Investigating Radioactivity in the Kitchen
LAB activities follow all safety guidelines linked above
and in the activity
Lab #1 Radioactivity background count Washington International School
Lab #2 Radioactive half-life decay simulation Washington International School
Lab #3 Radioactivity in the home: smoke detector
Lab #4 Isotope activity American Nuclear Soc
Lab #5 Background & other radiation activities P35 NASA
Lab #6 Cloud Chamber activity WIS
EXTENSION material for the curious
Gas mantle radioactivity Washington International School
Radioactive Decay as a Measure of Age cK-12
Radioactivity isotope lab with licorice nuclear connect
Fission Versus Fusion DoE
Women in the Manhattan Project DoE
Radiation in Space (free download) National Research Council
THINKING ROUTINE
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Choose one material that is a source of radioactivity that you have seen in your research/investigations so far
:
What do you see--that told you it was radioactive?
What do you think about that?
What does it make you wonder?
Energy.gov PD
Energy.gov PD
Energy.gov PD
Energy.gov PD
Energy.gov PD
What each radiation penetrates
Alpha particles are blocked by card or cloth
Beta particles are blocked by 1 cm thick lead
Gamma rays are blocked by 10 ft concrete, >10 cm Pb
= helium nuclei
= high energy electrons
Geiger counter with detection windows on the movable wand + dial:
mr/hr = millirems per hour
Energy.gov PD
The working of a smoke detector
It contains americium-241, 241Am, where, when smoke enters the smoke detector chamber, blocks the alpha particle stream and triggers the alarm
smoke detector -->
Geiger counter reading 0.128 mrem/hour
smoke detector --> and index card
Index card between the Geiger counter and the smoke detector
Geiger counter reading 0.020 mrem/hour
The index card blocks the alpha particles from the smoke detector
The pink, white-edged object at the top of the picture is a non-flammable woven fabric impregnated with thorium oxide. This is used on a camping gas lamp and makes the flame emanate far more light.. The Geiger counter reading is 0.345 mrem/hour. The thorium is radioactive and decays with alpha emissions. The daughter nuclei formed are also radioactive including radon-222
Radioactive decay activity. Complete the table above
With radioactive decay, each radioactive isotope has a specific time for half of the material to decay--this is called the half-life of the element. The half decays into another element.
Radioactive decay in carbon-14. There is the loss of a beta particle (high energy electron) to form nitrogen-14--the half-life of carbon-14 is 5,730 years and, as the ratio of carbon-14 to the other isotopes of carbon changes when a living object/animal dies, the object can be radio-carbon dated.