Explore atom stability nuclear reactions!

(due date:  Saturday, 8/15, midnight)

Watch: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/einstein-big-idea.html

Explore atom stability nuclear reactions!

Steps:

• Build an Atom
  • The problem:  You have a nucleus with a fixed number of protons.
    • What must you add to a nucleus consisting of protons to make a stable ion?  How many should be added?
    • What must you add to a nucleus consisting of protons to make a stable atom?  How many should be added?

• Develop hypotheses.

• Test your hypotheses.
  • Go to the simulation:  https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/build-an-atom/latest/build-an-atom_en.html
  • Click to show Stable/Unstable in the lower left.
  • Now, we experiment!
    • Add 3 protons to the nucleus.  Repeat for 6 protons.
      • Which element is this?
      • Now, add other either neutrons or electrons to stabilize the nucleus.
      • If you added both, once the ion is stabilized take away either the electrons or the neutrons (but not both) to better determine which led to stability.
      • Now that you’ve determined which led to stability, add more of that type to see if stability is maintained.
      • Did electrons or neutrons give stability to the ion?
      • What is an isotope?
      • What are the minimum and maximum number of electrons/neutrons that allow for stability?  It may be a single number!
      • Now, determine what is needed to produce a stable atom rather than ion.
    • Repeat for 6 protons.
    • Repeat for 10 protons.

• • Analyze your results:  What did you learn about ionic stability?  About atomic stability?

• Nuclear Fission
  • Go to:  http://www.visionlearning.com/library/animations/VL_Fission_Animation/Nuclear_Fission_r5.html
  • It’s a <20 second simulation showing the nuclear fusion of U235.
  • No need to write anything about this.  I just think it’s helpful

• Nuclear Fusion
  • Go to:  http://www.visionlearning.com/img/app/library/objects/Flash/VLObject-2747-040421040452.swf
  • It’s a <90 second simulation showing the a nuclear fusion reactor.
  • Now, answer these questions:
    • What is the difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission?
    • How is the Tokamak reactor similar to the sun?

• Controlled and Uncontrolled Nuclear Chain Reactions
  • Go to:   http://www.visionlearning.com/img/app/library/objects/Flash/VLObject-3602-100223080241.swf
  • Watch both the controlled and uncontrolled chain reactions.
  • Now, answer these questions:
    • What’s the difference between controlled and uncontrolled chain reactions?
    • What is the purpose of a control rod?
    • Does the chain reaction increase or decrease if you “lower the control rods”?  Why?