Evidence of Work
During this project, our assignment was to create a model that explained one or more of three things: explain changes in the composition of the nucleus and energy released during the processes of fission, fusion and radioactive decay illustrate the energy transfer mechanisms that allow energy from nuclear fusion in the sun’s core to reach Earth, communicate scientific ideas about the way stars over their life cycle, produce elements. My group and I chose to make a model that explained the processes of fission, fusion and radioactive decay. We did this through a board game, the rules of which are below:
Rules:
During this project, our assignment was to create a model that explained one or more of three things: explain changes in the composition of the nucleus and energy released during the processes of fission, fusion and radioactive decay illustrate the energy transfer mechanisms that allow energy from nuclear fusion in the sun’s core to reach Earth, communicate scientific ideas about the way stars over their life cycle, produce elements. My group and I chose to make a model that explained the processes of fission, fusion and radioactive decay. We did this through a board game, the rules of which are below:
Rules:
- At the start of the game, each player selects their element.
- Every turn, they move their piece forward once.
- After a certain amount dictated by the base ten logarithm of their half-life in units of the lowest possible half life (22 minutes) they flip a coin.
- If it’s heads their element decays.
- If the atom is still larger than nickel this is alpha decay.
- This causes a relatively substantial decrease in mass.
- If the atom becomes or becomes smaller than nickel, this is a beta decay.
- This causes a highly inconsequential decrease in mass.
- If the atom is still larger than nickel this is alpha decay.
- If it’s tails, their element does not decay.
- If it’s heads their element decays.
- The player with the smallest mass at the end of the game wins.
Content
Subatomic particles: Particles smaller than atoms such as alpha and beta particles. These particles are seen in our project because when an unstable atom decays, then it will release one of these particles.
Fission: When a heavy nucleus splits into two lighter nuclei, as well as some other particles like neutrons after being bombarded with a particle. This process releases energy and is used in nuclear power plants. Fission relates to our project because it is a form of nuclear decay which we included in our board game.
Fusion: When two nuclei that do not have a lot of protons or mass fuse together to form a heavier nucleus. this releases a great amount of energy, but it must occur in very pressurized and hot situations. Fusion is another nuclear change that is incorporated into our board game.
Radioactive Decay: Any changes in the nucleus of atoms. Forms include alpha decay, beta decay, fission, gamma, electron capture, etc. Our whole project was based around the types of radioactive decay and how they change the nucleus of atoms.
Half-life: The amount of time that a given sample of an element takes to decay into half of its original weight. More unstable atoms decay faster. Our board game determined how often you get to roll the dice to decay based on the half-life of the element you selected.
Nuclear Transmutation: The conversion of an element or isotope into another element. This can only be done by changing the atomic number, so the amount of protons must change. This occurs in our project when the player's element undergoes alpha decay, because the element loses two protons.
Radiation: The emission of energy as waves or particles, like photons, through a medium. In our project, radiation is seen through its release during radioactive decay. When any from of nuclear decay occurs, radiation is released, whether its is a particle, like beta decay, or a wave like gamma.
Nucleosynthesis: The formation of all elements heavier than hydrogen through processes in stars. Pressure and heat in massive stars can allow elements up to iron to form. This process is not in our project because we did not chose to incorporate that level of complex understanding.
Alpha Particle: An alpha particle is comprised of two neutrons and two protons. It is basically a helium nucleus with a positive charge of +2. This particle can be seen in our project as alpha particles are what is emitted in alpha decay.
Beta Particle: A beta particle is comprised of an electron. It has a negative charge of -1. This particle is in our project because it is emitted during beta decay.
Gamma Rays: A non particle form of radiation. Gamma rays fall on the electromagnetic spectrum. They are the most penetrating and dangerous form of radiation. We did not include gamma rays in our model, but they are a product of radioactive decay.
Reflection
During our Cosmic Chemistry project, I felt that I did very well as an all around teammate. I believe that I collaborated and solved problems exceptionally. I talked with my teammates and made sure that we all were on the same page. When we were working on our research, I made sure to keep our group informed and included. For example, I had Sebastian do research on alpha and beta decay while I read up on fission and fusion. During our work time on the board for our game, we started out by trying to have a spiral design for the path but that was not working. I suggested that we switched to a winding path, which ended up working very well. This was good problem solving.
Of course, nobody is perfect. Although I consider myself a good leader, I believe that I could have done better during this project as a leader. My teammate Sebastian seemed like he had too much of a burden on his shoulders and I wish that I had lightened his load a little. For example, when Sebastian was making the rules to our game, I could have helped and done half of them or something. I guess I just got a little unfocused, but I will refocus going forward and not let my teammates down. My work ethic needs some work as well. I would like to be able to sit down and finish something, but I get distracted too easily. In the marine biology classroom, when we were choosing what type of model to make I could not stay focused on our group. I kept getting distracted and talking to other groups or even with my group about other things. This was a waste of time that our group payed for, and I need to stop doing things like that in the future.
Subatomic particles: Particles smaller than atoms such as alpha and beta particles. These particles are seen in our project because when an unstable atom decays, then it will release one of these particles.
Fission: When a heavy nucleus splits into two lighter nuclei, as well as some other particles like neutrons after being bombarded with a particle. This process releases energy and is used in nuclear power plants. Fission relates to our project because it is a form of nuclear decay which we included in our board game.
Fusion: When two nuclei that do not have a lot of protons or mass fuse together to form a heavier nucleus. this releases a great amount of energy, but it must occur in very pressurized and hot situations. Fusion is another nuclear change that is incorporated into our board game.
Radioactive Decay: Any changes in the nucleus of atoms. Forms include alpha decay, beta decay, fission, gamma, electron capture, etc. Our whole project was based around the types of radioactive decay and how they change the nucleus of atoms.
Half-life: The amount of time that a given sample of an element takes to decay into half of its original weight. More unstable atoms decay faster. Our board game determined how often you get to roll the dice to decay based on the half-life of the element you selected.
Nuclear Transmutation: The conversion of an element or isotope into another element. This can only be done by changing the atomic number, so the amount of protons must change. This occurs in our project when the player's element undergoes alpha decay, because the element loses two protons.
Radiation: The emission of energy as waves or particles, like photons, through a medium. In our project, radiation is seen through its release during radioactive decay. When any from of nuclear decay occurs, radiation is released, whether its is a particle, like beta decay, or a wave like gamma.
Nucleosynthesis: The formation of all elements heavier than hydrogen through processes in stars. Pressure and heat in massive stars can allow elements up to iron to form. This process is not in our project because we did not chose to incorporate that level of complex understanding.
Alpha Particle: An alpha particle is comprised of two neutrons and two protons. It is basically a helium nucleus with a positive charge of +2. This particle can be seen in our project as alpha particles are what is emitted in alpha decay.
Beta Particle: A beta particle is comprised of an electron. It has a negative charge of -1. This particle is in our project because it is emitted during beta decay.
Gamma Rays: A non particle form of radiation. Gamma rays fall on the electromagnetic spectrum. They are the most penetrating and dangerous form of radiation. We did not include gamma rays in our model, but they are a product of radioactive decay.
Reflection
During our Cosmic Chemistry project, I felt that I did very well as an all around teammate. I believe that I collaborated and solved problems exceptionally. I talked with my teammates and made sure that we all were on the same page. When we were working on our research, I made sure to keep our group informed and included. For example, I had Sebastian do research on alpha and beta decay while I read up on fission and fusion. During our work time on the board for our game, we started out by trying to have a spiral design for the path but that was not working. I suggested that we switched to a winding path, which ended up working very well. This was good problem solving.
Of course, nobody is perfect. Although I consider myself a good leader, I believe that I could have done better during this project as a leader. My teammate Sebastian seemed like he had too much of a burden on his shoulders and I wish that I had lightened his load a little. For example, when Sebastian was making the rules to our game, I could have helped and done half of them or something. I guess I just got a little unfocused, but I will refocus going forward and not let my teammates down. My work ethic needs some work as well. I would like to be able to sit down and finish something, but I get distracted too easily. In the marine biology classroom, when we were choosing what type of model to make I could not stay focused on our group. I kept getting distracted and talking to other groups or even with my group about other things. This was a waste of time that our group payed for, and I need to stop doing things like that in the future.