Cosmic Chemistry:
We began our project by looking at the very beginning of the universe with the big bang. We divided our class into different sections: one group focused on the beginning, one group focused on the end, and another group made artwork. We then modeled the big bang in our classroom using paper models of stars, atoms, etc. and informational print outs containing information about the creation of our universe. The group I was in focused on the first 20 minutes of the universal. We used a group document to combine all of our research which can be viewed to the right.
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Our group then made a poster (shown on the left) to explain some of the properties of light and the electromagnetic spectrum. Other groups made similar posters for different parts of the chapter and we did a gallery walk in order to learn all of the topics. We then started to develop our star models to move into what topics our project would address and how we would present our project. We were tasked with creating a model that would demonstrate a complex understanding of cosmic chemistry. Our project as based off of the proficiency scale we received for our cosmic chemistry unit. It outlined different levels of content that we should try and represent in our models and outlined how the projects would be graded. Our group chose to create a card game for this project because we all liked cards games. We also decided that we would focus on the creation of elements and address the processes of nucleosynthesis, creation of elements within supernovas, and the use of particle accelerators. The game we created was called Elements the Gathering. It is based off of the game Magic the Gathering, but it included many scientific concepts and helps you learn. Our slideshow below describes the rules and the idea behind the game. Below the slide show is an example of what our cards looked like and the table you must use when playing the game.
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Content:
Stellar Nucleosynthesis: This is the process that creates elements 1-26 on the periodic table. Nucleosynthesis is a nuclear reaction that occurs within stars. Within stars, helium can combine with different elements in a nuclear reaction to produce a new element with more protons and more mass. For example, if you had a helium and a carbon combine in a nuclear reaction the process of nucleosynthesis would then create oxygen. We represented this process in our card game using sun cards that could combine with a helium and another element to create new elements.
Supernova: After iron, elements can no longer be made through nucleosynthesis so they are created when stars die. When a star has reached the end of its life, it becomes a supernova. Supernovas expel all different types of atoms and they combine in different ways to create new elements. As a high school student, it is hard to explain how these elements are made, so for our project we allowed players to use supernova cards and combine and create new elements heavier than iron.
Particle Accelerator: Particle accelerators allow scientists to create elements that are man made and not naturally occuring. These work by rapidly slamming atoms into each other to force them to combine. Through this process new elements can be created but this process is difficult. It requires scientists to try multiple times before the particle accelerator can successfully combine different atoms. In our game, you can use a particle accelerator card to create elements heavier than uranium.
Subatomic Particles: Subatomic particles are particles that are smaller than an atom. The three main subatomic particles are protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons make up the nucleus of the atom and they contain most of the mass while the electrons account for most of the volume in the atom. In our game we represented the health of the cards with the number of protons an element had and the attack of a card was the number of neutrons. When combining two elements, you can add the number of protons and neutrons in order to find the new atomic number and the new atomic mass.
Fission: Fission is the splitting of an atom. Nuclear fission results in the splitting of an atom's nucleus into two parts. This process creates large amounts of energy when it occurs and it is used in many different types of bombs because all of the energy created by nuclear fission can be very destructive.
Fusion: Fusion is the combination of an atom. Nuclear fusion is used in particle accelerators when scientists are trying to make new elements. Fusion is the combination of two atoms that are forced together and then become one. Fusion is the opposite of fission because instead of spitting one atom into two it is the combination of two into one.
Radioactive Decay: Radioactive decay is the breakdown of an atom's nucleus. This is a natural process that occurs when an atom is in an unstable state. All atoms want to be at a natural balance so unstable elements will decay to their stable state through the process of radioactive decay. This process releases very large amounts of energy when it occurs making it dangerous in some cases.
Half-Life: Half-life is the amount of time that it takes an isotope to reduce of half of its original value. Half-life represents decreasing exponential growth and can be modeled by an exponential equation. For example, if an isotope of uranium had a half life of 10 days after 10 days half of the uranium would be remaining.
Nuclear Transmutation: Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one type of element into another. The most common forms include alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma rays. This type of transmutation can occur when the numbers of protons, electrons, or neutrons change due to some form of decay.
Radiation: Radiation is the emission of energy through electromagnetic waves. Radiation can produce large amounts of energy making it very dangerous but it depends on the type of radiation. Gamma rays are examples of high energy radiation that can damage the human body.
Alpha Particle: An Alpha particle is a helium nucleus that is released during decay. When alpha decay occurs, alpha particles are released from the atom which lowers the atomic number by 2 and the atomic mass by 4. This results in a new element and the release of alpha particles. Alpha particles are not very dangerous and can be blocked by many materials.
Beta Particle: Beta particles are electrons that are emitted from an atom during beta decay. These electrons have zero mass so the mass of an atom does not change when beta decay occurs. These beta particles do reduce the atomic number by two so beta decay does result in a different element.
Gamma Rays: Gamma rays are produced during gamma decay. Gamma rays are very high in energy so they are very dangerous. Unlike alpha and beta particles they are harder to block so special materials must be used when blcoking gamma rays.
Supernova: After iron, elements can no longer be made through nucleosynthesis so they are created when stars die. When a star has reached the end of its life, it becomes a supernova. Supernovas expel all different types of atoms and they combine in different ways to create new elements. As a high school student, it is hard to explain how these elements are made, so for our project we allowed players to use supernova cards and combine and create new elements heavier than iron.
Particle Accelerator: Particle accelerators allow scientists to create elements that are man made and not naturally occuring. These work by rapidly slamming atoms into each other to force them to combine. Through this process new elements can be created but this process is difficult. It requires scientists to try multiple times before the particle accelerator can successfully combine different atoms. In our game, you can use a particle accelerator card to create elements heavier than uranium.
Subatomic Particles: Subatomic particles are particles that are smaller than an atom. The three main subatomic particles are protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons make up the nucleus of the atom and they contain most of the mass while the electrons account for most of the volume in the atom. In our game we represented the health of the cards with the number of protons an element had and the attack of a card was the number of neutrons. When combining two elements, you can add the number of protons and neutrons in order to find the new atomic number and the new atomic mass.
Fission: Fission is the splitting of an atom. Nuclear fission results in the splitting of an atom's nucleus into two parts. This process creates large amounts of energy when it occurs and it is used in many different types of bombs because all of the energy created by nuclear fission can be very destructive.
Fusion: Fusion is the combination of an atom. Nuclear fusion is used in particle accelerators when scientists are trying to make new elements. Fusion is the combination of two atoms that are forced together and then become one. Fusion is the opposite of fission because instead of spitting one atom into two it is the combination of two into one.
Radioactive Decay: Radioactive decay is the breakdown of an atom's nucleus. This is a natural process that occurs when an atom is in an unstable state. All atoms want to be at a natural balance so unstable elements will decay to their stable state through the process of radioactive decay. This process releases very large amounts of energy when it occurs making it dangerous in some cases.
Half-Life: Half-life is the amount of time that it takes an isotope to reduce of half of its original value. Half-life represents decreasing exponential growth and can be modeled by an exponential equation. For example, if an isotope of uranium had a half life of 10 days after 10 days half of the uranium would be remaining.
Nuclear Transmutation: Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one type of element into another. The most common forms include alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma rays. This type of transmutation can occur when the numbers of protons, electrons, or neutrons change due to some form of decay.
Radiation: Radiation is the emission of energy through electromagnetic waves. Radiation can produce large amounts of energy making it very dangerous but it depends on the type of radiation. Gamma rays are examples of high energy radiation that can damage the human body.
Alpha Particle: An Alpha particle is a helium nucleus that is released during decay. When alpha decay occurs, alpha particles are released from the atom which lowers the atomic number by 2 and the atomic mass by 4. This results in a new element and the release of alpha particles. Alpha particles are not very dangerous and can be blocked by many materials.
Beta Particle: Beta particles are electrons that are emitted from an atom during beta decay. These electrons have zero mass so the mass of an atom does not change when beta decay occurs. These beta particles do reduce the atomic number by two so beta decay does result in a different element.
Gamma Rays: Gamma rays are produced during gamma decay. Gamma rays are very high in energy so they are very dangerous. Unlike alpha and beta particles they are harder to block so special materials must be used when blcoking gamma rays.
Reflection:
What went well was all of the in class work time we had. The work outside of class did not go as well. In class we were able to coordinate and work efficiently. When we were together we could divide tasks easily and complete large amounts of work. I worked well when we were all sitting in the same room and I was able to talk with my group members. It is much easier to talk in person than trying to communicate through texting and other form of digital communication. The outside of class aspect did not go as well because it was harder to coordinate when and how we would work on the project when we could not communicate face to face with each other. We did end up getting the work done but it was harder to coordinate and efficiently complete all of the tasks.
I learned that working on an idea that interests everyone is really important when doing a project. We all had an interest in card games so it made the project easier to work one and more enjoyable overall. I also re-learned the importance of practice presentations. While we did present successfully, it would have gone much smoother if we had done a practice presentation before hand. Next time I can improve by finding a way to practice my part of the presentation before hand. I can also improve on not procrastinating and starting the work I do earlier so it gives me more time to complete it. Some peaks where when we made the cards. This process was very fast and we were able to complete this task effectively. We digitally designed the cards which made the process go much quicker than creating them all by hand. A pit was cutting the cards. The cards were not lined up when they were designed so they could not be easily cut out in rows which made the process more difficult. Some of the cards edges were cut off and they were not all completely even. We used google docs to print the cards and this program does not have an align tool so the cards where not aligned properly.
I learned that working on an idea that interests everyone is really important when doing a project. We all had an interest in card games so it made the project easier to work one and more enjoyable overall. I also re-learned the importance of practice presentations. While we did present successfully, it would have gone much smoother if we had done a practice presentation before hand. Next time I can improve by finding a way to practice my part of the presentation before hand. I can also improve on not procrastinating and starting the work I do earlier so it gives me more time to complete it. Some peaks where when we made the cards. This process was very fast and we were able to complete this task effectively. We digitally designed the cards which made the process go much quicker than creating them all by hand. A pit was cutting the cards. The cards were not lined up when they were designed so they could not be easily cut out in rows which made the process more difficult. Some of the cards edges were cut off and they were not all completely even. We used google docs to print the cards and this program does not have an align tool so the cards where not aligned properly.