Introduction to

ATOMIC ENERGY

Mr. Clapp’s 8th Grade ScienceFebruary 18, 2010

Thanks to books, movies and television shows, this is what most of us think of when we think about nuclear energy!

In reality, there are many other things we should think about first.

Electricity

Medicine

Space Exploration

During the course of this chapter we are going to learn:

- The discovery of Radioactivity- Radioactive decay

- The penetrating power of Radiation - Determining age using radioactive decay

- Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion- Nuclear industry- Accidents

Two atoms are sitting in class

The first atom says to the second:“I think I lost an electron!”

The second atom replies: “Are you sure?”

The first atom responds:I’m positive!

Marie Curie and her husband Pierre conducted early research that lead to the discovery of the Theory of Radiation. Marie’s research would eventually lead to her being awarded two Nobel prizes.

Her research would also lead to her death from exposure to radiation!

Three kinds of radioactive decay:

Alpha decay of Americium-241 to Neptunium-237

Beta Decay of Hydrogen 3 to Helium 3

Electron Capture of Beryllium-7 decaying to Lithium-7.

Two types of Beta Decay

Gamma Decay

Helium 3 give up a photon (gamma particle) falling to a lower energy state

Pop Quiz

Who developed the Theory of Radioactivity?Marie Curie

Name the three types of radioactive decayAlphaBeta

Gamma

What particle is emitted during Alpha Decay?A helium nucleus called an Alpha Particle

http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/isotopes/radioactive_decay3.html

Radioactive Decay and Half-LifeAtoms decay at a constant rate

The time it take for half of the atoms in a give sample to decay is the atoms Half-Life

Check out the half-life of various isotopes at the below site

Scientists will determine the age of this baby mammoth, found frozen in Siberia, using the half-life of Carbon-14 which is 5,730 years

Penetrating Power of Radiation

Medical X-rays and CAT scans are created thanks to the penetrating power of radiation.

Nuclear FissionWhy did the student bring a rod and reel to class

The teacher said they would be studying fission!

http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es0702/es0702page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization

Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion is what powers the Sun.

Hydrogen bombs

Cold fusion

Nuclear Industry

Nuclear medicine

Nuclear power for space exploration

http://www.animatedsoftware.com/environm/nukequiz/nukequiz_one/nuke_parts/reactor_parts.swf

Electricity from nuclear power

Accidents

Chernobyl

Three Mile Island

Discussion

During your lifetime, atomic energy will be most beneficial to which one of the following and why?

Space explorationMedicineGeneration of electricity

Do you think nuclear fission or nuclear fusion has the most promise to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel? Why?

Choose one of the two topics below and write a brief essay.Three paragraphs minimum

Works CitedSlide 2. “Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia” Feb 18, 2010 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_explosion Slide 5Cargate.org 18 Feb. 2010 http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/sciences/chemistry/generalchemistry/Atomic/BasicStructure/BasicStructure.htm Slide 6“Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia” Feb 18, 2010 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pierre_and_Marie_Curie.jpgSlide 7-8-9Oracle Thinkquest Library Feb 18, 2010 http://library.thinkquest.org/3471/radiation_types_body.htmlSlide 11All Hat No Cattle Feb 18, 2010 http://www.allhatnocattle.net/baby-mammoth.jpg

Slide 12“Radiation Basics” United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 18 Feb. 2010 http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.nrc.gov/images/about-nrc/radiation/penetrating-power-rad.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/radiation/health-effects/radiation-basics.html&h=150&w=277&sz=14&tbnid=NokT5n0Ta8YyuM:&tbnh=62&tbnw=114&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpenetrating%2Bpower%2Bof%2Bradiation&usg=__m3EomRhXJoBezmMzgUHzd8qjAc4=&ei=xLOAS9LTFMTTnAfHqJDKBw&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=7&ct=image&ved=0CBUQ9QEwBgSlide 13“Visual Dictionary” Merriam-Webster 18 Feb. 2010 http://visual.merriam-webster.com/science/chemistry/matter/nuclear-fission.phpSlide 14“Nuclear Fusion” Lancaster University. 18 Feb. 2010 http://www.lancs.ac.uk/ug/hussainw/nuclear_fusion.htm “How the Sun Shines” BBC News. 18 Feb. 2010 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/05/sci_nat_iter___the_next_generation_fusion_reactor/html/2.stm

Slide 15Panoramio.18 Feb. 2010 http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/19730.jpgDuck Sports News.Com 18 Feb. 2010 http://www.ducksportsnews.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/ct-scan.jpg“Why is Nuclear Medicine Performed?” Imaginis 18 Feb. 2010 http://www.imaginis.com/nuclear-medicine/nuc_why.asp“Space Exploration” Astrodigital. 18 Feb. 2010 http://www.astrodigital.org/space/nuclear.html“A Lunar Nuclear Reactor” Technology Review. 18 Feb. 2010 http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/23247/?a=fSlide 16Spaceman Gallery. 18 Feb. 2010http://www.spaceman.ca/gallery/chernobyl"Three Mile Island." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 18 Feb. 2010http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-ThreeMil.html