Build an Atom and Investigate Nuclear Reations

Explore atom stability nuclear reactions!

Steps:

Build an Atom

The problem: You have a nucleus with a fixed number of protons.

What must you add to a nucleus consisting of protons to make a stable ion? How many should be added?

What must you add to a nucleus consisting of protons to make a stable atom? How many should be added?

Develop hypotheses.

Test your hypotheses.

Now, we experiment!

Add 3 protons to the nucleus. Repeat for 6 protons.

Which element is this?

Now, add other either neutrons or electrons to stabilize the nucleus.

If you added both, once the ion is stabilized take away either the electrons or the neutrons (but not both) to better determine which led to stability.

Now that you've determined which led to stability, add more of that type to see if stability is maintained.

Did electrons or neutrons give stability to the ion?

What is an isotope?

What are the minimum and maximum number of electrons/neutrons that allow for stability? It may be a single number!

Now, determine what is needed to produce a stable atom rather than ion.

Repeat for 6 protons.

Repeat for 10 protons.

Analyze your results: What did you learn about ionic stability? About atomic stability?

Nuclear Fission

No need to write anything about this. I just think it's helpful

Nuclear Fusion
Now, answer these questions:

What is the difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission?

How is the Tokamak reactor similar to the sun?

Controlled and Uncontrolled Nuclear Chain Reactions

Watch both the controlled and uncontrolled chain reactions.

Now, answer these questions:

What's the difference between controlled and uncontrolled chain reactions?

What is the purpose of a control rod?

Does the chain reaction increase or decrease if you "lower the control rods"? Why?