Introduction to ATOMIC ENERGY Mr. Clapp’s 8 th Grade Science February 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

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

Radioactive Decay and Half-Life Atoms 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 Fission Why did the student bring a rod and reel to class The teacher said they would be studying fission! 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 ukequiz_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 exploration Medicine Generation 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 Cited Slide 2. “Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia” Feb 18, Slide 5 Cargate.org 18 Feb mic/BasicStructure/BasicStructure.htm mic/BasicStructure/BasicStructure.htm Slide 6 “Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia” Feb 18, Slide Oracle Thinkquest Library Feb 18, Slide 11 All Hat No Cattle Feb 18,

Slide 12 “Radiation Basics” United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 18 Feb nrc/radiation/penetrating-power-rad.gif&imgrefurl= nrc/radiation/health-effects/radiation- basics.html&h=150&w=277&sz=14&tbnid=NokT5n0Ta8YyuM:&tbnh=62&tbn w=114&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpenetrating%2Bpower%2Bof%2Bradiation& usg=__m3EomRhXJoBezmMzgUHzd8qjAc4=&ei=xLOAS9LTFMTTnAfHqJD KBw&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=7&ct=image&ved=0CBUQ9QEwBg nrc/radiation/penetrating-power-rad.gif&imgrefurl= nrc/radiation/health-effects/radiation- basics.html&h=150&w=277&sz=14&tbnid=NokT5n0Ta8YyuM:&tbnh=62&tbn w=114&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpenetrating%2Bpower%2Bof%2Bradiation& usg=__m3EomRhXJoBezmMzgUHzd8qjAc4=&ei=xLOAS9LTFMTTnAfHqJD KBw&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=7&ct=image&ved=0CBUQ9QEwBg Slide 13 “Visual Dictionary” Merriam-Webster 18 Feb fission.php fission.php Slide 14 “Nuclear Fusion” Lancaster University. 18 Feb “How the Sun Shines” BBC News. 18 Feb eneration_fusion_reactor/html/2.stm eneration_fusion_reactor/html/2.stm

Slide 15 Panoramio.18 Feb Duck Sports News.Com 18 Feb scan.jpg scan.jpg “Why is Nuclear Medicine Performed?” Imaginis 18 Feb “Space Exploration” Astrodigital. 18 Feb “A Lunar Nuclear Reactor” Technology Review. 18 Feb Slide 16 Spaceman Gallery. 18 Feb "Three Mile Island." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Encyclopedia.com. 18 Feb. 2010Three Mile Island