Project
The goal of this project was to choose one of the many subjects that our class had focused on and create a graphic and/or engaged representation of it. For our project, we decided to focus on Radioactive Decay and nuclear fission/fusion. To do this we created a presentation and 3D model of the processes of radioactive decay, nuclear fission, and nuclear fusion.
Terms
Half Life - the amount of time it takes for a radioactive nucleus to lose half its mass
Nuclear Fission - a nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits spontaneously or on impact with another particle, with the release of energy
Nuclear Fusion - a nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy
Radioactive Decay - the spontaneous breakdown of an atomic nucleus resulting in the release of energy and matter from the nucleus
Chain Reaction - a process in which neutrons released in fission produce an additional fission in at least one further nucleus
Alpha Decay - an atom's nucleus sheds two protons and two neutrons in a packet that scientists call an alpha particle
Beta Decay - a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle is emitted from an atomic nucleus, transforming the original nuclide to its isobar
Gamma Emission - a penetrating electromagnetic radiation arising from the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei
Radiation - the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles which cause ionization
Positron Emission - a proton inside a radionuclide nucleus is converted into a neutron while releasing a positron
Nuclear Fission - a nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits spontaneously or on impact with another particle, with the release of energy
Nuclear Fusion - a nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy
Radioactive Decay - the spontaneous breakdown of an atomic nucleus resulting in the release of energy and matter from the nucleus
Chain Reaction - a process in which neutrons released in fission produce an additional fission in at least one further nucleus
Alpha Decay - an atom's nucleus sheds two protons and two neutrons in a packet that scientists call an alpha particle
Beta Decay - a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle is emitted from an atomic nucleus, transforming the original nuclide to its isobar
Gamma Emission - a penetrating electromagnetic radiation arising from the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei
Radiation - the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles which cause ionization
Positron Emission - a proton inside a radionuclide nucleus is converted into a neutron while releasing a positron
Reflection
Overall, our group worked very efficiently considering the obstacles that were present. For example, the program that we used to create the model kept not saving it and we had to keep remaking it. Thankfully we took screenshots of the model along the way so that we had evidence of its existence. Sometimes we would also just go to other groups and get caught up talking. Personally, I was not always available during the project because I had to miss a lot of class to help with Shadow Day which took up all of 4th period and almost all of 5th. Still, I tried my best to get work done at home and catch up on what my teammates had accomplished or were focusing on. Now we know the structure of project work time and what to focus on which will be be beneficial to us in the future.