Nuclear Webquest

Hello chemists! In this WebQuest, you will explore nuclear chemistry in real-world situations.  You will learn about fusion and fission, types of radiation, its effects on humans, and how nuclear power is produced as well as its repercussions and disasters.

Task 1: 

Go to the website:   http://www.atomicarchive.com/Physics/Physics1.shtml

PART A: Introduction to Atomic Physics

1. __________________ is the smallest particle of matter that maintains the properties of that element.

2. Sir Ernst Rutherford concluded what two things about atomic structure:

   1. ____________________________________________________

   2. ____________________________________________________

3. Niels Bohr contributed what to atomic structure theory:

   1. ____________________________________________________

4. What is the unit of measure for the diameter of atoms? ______________ 

5. What is the unit of measure from above equal to? __________________

6. An atom consists of three basic subatomic particles.  List each below. Include its charge and who discovered it.

   1. _________________; __________________; __________________

   2. _________________; __________________; __________________

   3. _________________; __________________; __________________

7. The number of which subatomic particles determines the chemical element that it is? _____________________

8. The number and arrangement of which subatomic particle determines most of the atom’s properties? _______________________

9. Protons and neutrons are composed of even smaller subatomic particles called ____________________.

10. Define isotopes: ______________________________________________

11. Isotopes have the same ____________________ properties but very different _________________________ properties.

12. Most isotopes are stable but some are _____________________________

13. What is binding energy? _______________________________________

14. What does binding energy determine? ____________________________

15. Einstein’s famous equation of relativity, E = mc2, explains the relationship between the binding energy and mass defect.  It explains that a small amount of __________________ can produce a large amount of ____________________.

16. Define radioactivity: ______________________________________________

17. Name the three scientists that discovered and researched radioactivity:

    1. ___________________________

    2. ___________________________

    3. ___________________________

18. List the three most common types of radioactive decay:
    1.  __________________________
    2.  __________________________
    3.  __________________________
19. Define half-life: _________________________________________________

20. List what is emitted during each decay type:

    1. Alpha: ___________

    2. Beta: ____________

    3. Spontaneous fission: _____________

Task 2:

Carbon Dating http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/radiocarbon-dating.html

(google search NOVA radiocarbon dating and click the first link, click LAUNCH INTERACTIVE)

1. How are carbon-12 and carbon-14’s atomic structures different from each other?

2. What happens to one of the neutrons in a carbon-14 nucleus?

3. What does carbon-14 turn into? _________________________

4. What happens to stable carbon-12 as an organism dies?

5. To find the carbon date of something, scientists compare what two levels?

Task 3: Distinguish between Fission and Fusion

Go to http://www.diffen.com/difference/Nuclear_Fission_vs_Nuclear_Fusion   

1. Fill in the chart showing the differences between fission and fusion.

2. Draw a nuclear fusion and nuclear fission reaction.

3. Which occurs naturally in nature, fission or fusion?  Explain.

4. Which type of reaction is used in an atom bomb?  __________________  A hydrogen bomb____________?  

5. Which type of bomb was detonated by the United States in 1945 on the Japanese city of Hiroshima?  _____________________

6. Which is more environmentally friendly, a fission or fusion reaction?  Explain.

Congratulations! 

You’ve completed all the assignment. For your final assignment you be presenting your findings in presentation to show the differences between Fusion and Fission. You can do this by being creative. whatever project you choose to do should show all that you have learned from this interactive site. Charts and diagrams are welcome! 

Your options are as follows:

• Write a poem, song or rap 

• Create a powerpoint

• Draw a poster board 

The following WebQuest was designed for my class to learn about the differences between fusion and fission nuclear reactions. The NGSS standards that were utilized for this site are as follows: 

This WebQuest is intended to be used at home as an assignment or for a sub plan.