1. Nuclear Fusion Basics 10/25/16
Objective: I will analyze the structure of an atom as a basis for studying nuclear fusion in stars.
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2. Atomic Structure atom- basic building block of matter
made up of subatomic particles:
proton (+), neutron (o), and electron (-)

3. Atomic Structure
protons and neutrons clump together to form the nucleus
electrons orbit the nucleus

4. Important to Know
the number of protons in the nucleus identifies the element

5. Important to Know
isotope: atom of an element that exists with a different number of neutrons

6. Important to Know
If you change the number of neutrons, you create an isotope of the same element

7. Nuclear Fusion in Stars
stars are made up of mostly hydrogen (~75% in our Sun)
in the core of a star, temperatures reach 15,000,000oC
this causes the hydrogen atoms to move VERY fast
so fast, they collide together and fuse into a new element, helium

8. Nuclear Fusion in Stars
this process is called nuclear fusion
combining nuclei of small atoms to form bigger nuclei
releases huge amounts of energy

9. Atomic Number = # of protons
Element Symbol
Atomic Mass = # of protons + neutrons
*weighted average of all isotopes
# of electrons = # of protons

10. Left Side Activity Sketch the Periodic Table panel for: Helium
One other element, with an atomic number of less than 26 (Iron- Fe)
Label each sketch with the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom of that element.
Remember to include color and a title!