Nuclear Chemistry Web Quest

1. Nuclear Chemistry Web Quest

2. Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion

3. Introduction Nuclear chemistry is often one of the most misunderstood and feared subjects. We most often associate it with the atomic bomb, nuclear war and Chernobyl. While these problems are very important to the study of Nuclear Chemistry there are also important and safe issues. Some of these include the use of Nuclear Chemistry in the fields of medicine, food preservation and power production. You are going to explore these issues and then make informed decisions about them. BACK TO BEGINNING

4. Task • In this Web Quest you will be exploring the world of Nuclear Chemistry. • You and your group will be part of a Problem-Solving team who studies Nuclear Chemistry and the pros and cons that go along with it. • Each person in your group will become an expert on a particular topic within Nuclear Chemistry. You will decide this within your group. • You will then research all of the topics with the Internet links I have provided you. • After completing your research your group will get back together and write a letter to your congressman discussing whether funding should continue towards nuclear research. • You will then have an assignment to complete by yourself. You will need to choose one of the topics concerning Nuclear Chemistry and then choose to write either a Feature Article, Speech, or Persuasive Letter about it. BACK TO BEGINNING

5. Process • Use the following links to answer the following questions: • Radiation • What is radiation? • HowStuffWorks "How Nuclear Radiation Works“ • Radiation and Radioactivity | Radiation Protection | US EPA • Who discovered radiation & how was it discovered? • Radioactivity: Historical Figures • The ORCBS - Radiation Safety - Resources & Links - Historical Figures • Describe alpha, beta and gamma radiation. • Basic Nuclear Science Information • The Three Types of Radioactive Decay BACK TO BEGINNING

6. Process cont. • List the 9 naturally-occurring elements that are radioactive. • HowStuffWorks "How Nuclear Radiation Works“ • Are there any man-made elements that are radioactive? If so what are they? • HowStuffWorks "How Nuclear Radiation Works“ • What are isotopes? What do isotopes have to do with radioactivity? • HowStuffWorks "How Nuclear Radiation Works“ • How do radioactive smoke detectors work? • How Smoke Detectors Work | Radiation Protection | US EPA • Describe 3 ways in which humans may be exposed to radiation: • Radiation and Radioactivity | Radiation Protection | US EPA BACK TO PROCESS SLIDE #1 BACK TO BEGINNING

7. Process cont. • List some biological effects of being exposed to radiation. • Health Effects | Radiation Protection | US EPA • Using one of these radiation dose charts, calculate your yearly radiation exposure. • ANS : Public Information : Resources : Radiation Dose Chart • Calculate Your Radiation Dose | Radiation Protection | US EPA • NUCLEAR WEAPONS • How does an atomic bomb work? • Key Issues: Nuclear Weapons: The Basics: Weapons Basics • What is the difference between an atomic bomb and a hydrogen bomb? • Key Issues: Nuclear Weapons: The Basics: Weapons Basics BACK TO PROCESS SLIDE #1 BACK TO BEGINNING

8. Process cont. • Describe some of the effects of a nuclear explosion • Key Issues: Nuclear Weapons: The Basics: Weapons Basics • What elements are used in atomic bombs? • Key Issues: Nuclear Weapons: The Basics: Weapons Basics • Who were the two scientists to first split a uranium atom? • Atoms Amok: Weapons: The Beginning • 6) Provide a historical account (in your own words) of the development and detonation of the first atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, i.e. The Manhattan Project. • Manhattan Project • Atoms Amok: Weapons: Manhattan Project/WWII • Which countries have a nuclear arsenal? • Nuclear Issues – CDI • BBC News | WORLD | The world's nuclear arsenal BACK TO PROCESS SLIDE #1 BACK TO BEGINNING

9. Process cont. • Which of these countries signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1970? • BBC News | WORLD | The world's nuclear arsenal • Which countries did not sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty? • BBC News | WORLD | The world's nuclear arsenal • What is a “dirty bomb” and what threat does this pose to the general public? • NRC: Fact Sheet on Dirty Bombs • NUCLEAR POWER • How does a nuclear power plant work? Make sure to highlight the primary components and how they function together to generate power. • HowStuffWorks "How Nuclear Power Works" BACK TO BEGINNING BACK TO PROCESS SLIDE #1

10. Process cont. • NRC: Students' Corner • Nuclear Fission: Basics | Nuclear Fission | Science | atomicarchive.com • What is meant by a chain reaction and critical mass? • HowStuffWorks "How Nuclear Power Works“ • NRC: Students' Corner • How do scientists control the energy given off by the enriched uranium? • HowStuffWorks "Inside a Nuclear Power Plant“ • FRONTLINE: nuclear reaction: fission and reprocessing • What are some advantages of using nuclear power? • HowStuffWorks "Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power Plants“ • What are some of the disadvantages of using nuclear power? • Nuclear Files: Key Issues: Nuclear Energy: The Basics BACK TO PROCESS SLIDE #1 BACK TO BEGINNING

11. Process cont. • How is fusion different than fission as far as producing power? What are some of the advantages & disadvantages in using fusion? • Nuclear Fusion | Nuclear Fusion | Science | atomicarchive.com • Fusion Education Slide Show • Fusion Advantages • What happened at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant? What caused this and what are the after effects? • NRC: Fact Sheet on the Three Mile Island Accident • The American Experience | Meltdown at Three Mile Island • FRONTLINE: nuclear reaction: three mile island • What happened at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant? What caused this and what are the after effects? • FRONTLINE: nuclear reaction: chernobyl • Chernobyl • Chernobyl - The Chernobyl Nuclear Accident • BACK TO PROCESS SLIDE #1 BACK TO BEGINNING

12. Process cont. • Name 5 states that have nuclear power plants. • NRC: Map of Power Reactor Sites • What are some of the controversies surrounding nuclear power? • Key Issues: Nuclear Energy: The Basics: Introduction • NUCLEAR INDUSTRY • What is a PET scan? What does PET stand for? • HowStuffWorks "How Nuclear Medicine Works“ • What is a SPECT scan? What are its advantages and disadvantages as compared to PET scans? • HowStuffWorks "How Nuclear Medicine Works“ • Why are cancer cells more effected by radiation than most normal cells? What normal cells can be affected by radiation and how? • Radiation Therapy and You - National Cancer Institute • How is chemotherapy different from radiation therapy? • Dictionary of Cancer Terms - National Cancer Institute BACK TO PROCESS SLIDE #1 BACK TO BEGINNING

13. Process cont. • Name one radioisotope used for radiation treatment and what specific cancer it treats. • http://www.ansto.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/3564/Radioisotopes.pdf • What is food irradiation and how does it preserved food? • Disease Listing, Food Irradiation | CDC Bacterial, Mycotic Diseases • Food Irradiation | Radiation Protection | US EPA • CNN - Irradiated food: It works, but few are buying - November 25, 1997 • What type of radiation is used for food irradiation? • Disease Listing, Food Irradiation | CDC Bacterial, Mycotic Diseases • Food Irradiation | Radiation Protection | US EPA • CNN - Irradiated food: It works, but few are buying - November 25, 1997 BACK TO PROCESS SLIDE #1 BACK TO BEGINNING

14. Process cont. • Why does irradiation kill bacteria? • Disease Listing, Food Irradiation | CDC Bacterial, Mycotic Diseases • Food Irradiation | Radiation Protection | US EPA • CNN - Irradiated food: It works, but few are buying - November 25, 1997 • Who’s mail is being irradiated and why? • Mail Irradiation | Radiation Protection | US EPA • Does the radiation from treating foods and mail last? • Disease Listing, Food Irradiation | CDC Bacterial, Mycotic DiseasesFood Irradiation | Radiation Protection | US EPA • CNN - Irradiated food: It works, but few are buying - November 25, 1997 • Mail Irradiation | Radiation Protection | US EPA • NUCLEAR WASTE • What are the sources for the accumulation of nuclear waste? • Managing Radioactive Materials & Waste | Radiation Protection Program | US EPA BACK TO BEGINNING BACK TO PROCESS SLIDE #1

15. Process cont. • What is the difference between low-level and high-level nuclear waste? What dangers does each level pose? • NRC: Backgrounder on Radioactive Waste • Can nuclear waste be made safe? • NRC: Backgrounder on Radioactive Waste • 4) What are the short-term solutions to the storage of nuclear waste? • The Bane of Nuclear Energy: Nuclear Waste – Storage • Describe the proposed solution and controversy surrounding Yucca Mountain in Nevada. • The Bane of Nuclear Energy: Nuclear Waste – Storage • Are there presently any long-term solutions to the storage of nuclear waste in use? • Questions and Answers on Nuclear Power - Environmental Defense Fund BACK TO PROCESS SLIDE #1 BACK TO BEGINNING

16. Process cont. • What effects does nuclear waste have on the environment? • NRC: Backgrounder on Radioactive Waste • HowStuffWorks "Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power Plants“ • What countries produce the most nuclear waste? • WikiAnswers - What country in the world produces the most pollution • Why is nuclear waste such a danger? • HowStuffWorks "Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power Plants" • Give some examples of low-level nuclear waste. • NRC: Backgrounder on Radioactive Waste BACK TO PROCESS SLIDE #1 BACK TO BEGINNING

17. Your job now is to get back together with your group and draft a letter to your congressman stating whether you think funding should continue towards the study of Nuclear Chemistry. After turning in your letter your next job is to write either a feature article, speech, editorial or persuasive letter related to any of the topics that were discussed on Nuclear Chemistry.

18. Evaluation Your grade will be determined by the completeness of the questions during the Process section of this Web Quest as well as the scoring of your group’s letter and your feature article, persuasive letter, speech or editorial.

19. Conclusion Now that you have completed this Web Quest hopefully you have a more thorough understanding of Nuclear Chemistry. With the energy crisis we are experiencing these issues will come up as we look for energy alternatives.