Evidence of Work:
In this unit we studied the creation of the universe and all that came with it. For the first project we created a timeline of the universe as a class. Then we looked at the different parts of an atom and how the models have changed overtime due to different experiments. After that we looked into different patterns on the periodic table and what happens when electrons are excited. Lastly, we looked into radioactive decay and fission/fusion. For the final project we created a model that could describe one of the three target concepts we learned about.
In this unit we studied the creation of the universe and all that came with it. For the first project we created a timeline of the universe as a class. Then we looked at the different parts of an atom and how the models have changed overtime due to different experiments. After that we looked into different patterns on the periodic table and what happens when electrons are excited. Lastly, we looked into radioactive decay and fission/fusion. For the final project we created a model that could describe one of the three target concepts we learned about.
Our group focused on the first section of the big bang and how it created the first elements. Within a second of the explosion, protons were formed and later the rest of the atom came together. Around 100 seconds elements started to fuse together to form helium and lithium.
We also researched the Line-Emission Spectrum and different types of electromagnetic radiation. Each table group focused on a different section of the chapter and then did a gallery walk of the posters we made. In our chapter we learned about the ground and excited state of electrons and what happens when they are excited.
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For our model, we focused on the journey that photons take to travel from the core of the sun to get into space and finally reach earth. To display this information we created a board game. The objective of the game is to be the fist player to reach earth. You move by rolling dice and doing whatever the space you land on says. The spaces either say to move forward, move back, pick a card, or it is just a blank space. There are four types of cards: Fusion Cycle, Sunspot, Convection Current, and Photon Escape. The different cards have directions on them that the players have to follow if they pick one. The fusion cycle card tells you to roll the die and then either move forward or backwards. The sunspot card makes you move forward depending on what element you are at that time. The convection current card is just like the fusion cycle because you roll and the number tells you to either move forwards or backwards. The last one is the photon escape card and this tells you to move to the corresponding square on the board.
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Content:
Subatomic particles- parts of an atom; proton, neutron, and electron. Protons have a positive charge and is located in the nucleus of an atom. Neutrons have no charge and are also located in the nucleus. Electrons are a lot smaller then protons and neutrons. They have a negative charge and orbit/float around the nucleus.
Fission- The process in which a big, unstable element breaks apart into two smaller and more stable elements. When the nucleus breaks apart, three neutrons normally break off along with the two smaller nuclei.
Fusion- When two smaller elements combine together and release a lot of energy. This is the opposite of fission because the smaller nuclei are being pushed together under a lot of pressure or heat.
Radioactive decay- a random breakdown of an atoms nucleus. This happens to unstable elements and when they breakdown they become more stable and give off energy. Alpha, beta, and gamma particles can be released during radioactive decay.
Half-life- The amount of time it takes a certain element to decay half of its total amount. The relationship of the decrease is an exponential decay so its always half of what it was before.
Nuclear transmutation- Similar to fission, an unstable element splits apart to create a more stable element.
Radiation- energy in the form of a wave or particle that travels through a medium. Some examples of this is electromagnetic radiation. This includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared and viable light, and many others.
Nucleosynthesis- Similar to fusion, smaller elements are put together with other elements or subatomic particles. This creates new elements and gives off energy.
Alpha particle- A loss of an atom of helium during a type of radioactive decay called alpha decay. They come from the nucleus made up of two protons and two neutrons.
Beta particle- A loss of a fast moving electron during a type of radioactive decay called beta decay.
Gamma rays- the loss of high-energy radiation during radioactive decay. This ray can go through skin and cell membranes causing it to be the most dangerous out of the three. It can also cause a mutation in the cell or DNA causing cancer and other dangerous illnesses.
Sunspot- darker spots on the sun's surface that is cooler then the rest. They are cooler then the rest of the surface because the magnetic field is stronger then other spots so heat doesn't reach the surface.
Convection current- a movement of hot and cool gases in the sun. These keep energy from reaching the surface by moving the hot gas towards the surface and the cool gas toward the core.
Excited state- An electron that has more energy then it does in its ground or resting state. This causes materials to glow or light up.
Ground state- The energy an electron has when it is resting or normal. This is just atoms doing what they normally do when nothing is acting upon them to become excited.
Reflection:
Our first project went very well, but there are still some things that need to be improved for next time. One thing I think we did well was dividing up the work. While creating our board game, we split the work up so the process of making it would go by faster and more efficiently. For example, I worked on creating the actual board game with one other group member while the other two created the rules and idea of the game. Another thing I think we did well was communicating. At the beginning when we were brainstorming ideas and trying to figure out what to model we all said our ideas and talked about all the possible ways we could go about each one. This really helped us know what we had to accomplish and the steps we needed to take. One thing I think I could improve on is my leadership skills. Sometimes I would wait for someone else to come up with an idea instead of just speaking up. Another thing I need to work on for next project is being more involved in the background research and the layout of the project. For this model I mostly helped create the actual board by drawing and coloring all of the cards along with the actual board. Being a part of coming up with the rules would have helped the rest of my team have more time towards the end of the project to perfect the model.
Our first project went very well, but there are still some things that need to be improved for next time. One thing I think we did well was dividing up the work. While creating our board game, we split the work up so the process of making it would go by faster and more efficiently. For example, I worked on creating the actual board game with one other group member while the other two created the rules and idea of the game. Another thing I think we did well was communicating. At the beginning when we were brainstorming ideas and trying to figure out what to model we all said our ideas and talked about all the possible ways we could go about each one. This really helped us know what we had to accomplish and the steps we needed to take. One thing I think I could improve on is my leadership skills. Sometimes I would wait for someone else to come up with an idea instead of just speaking up. Another thing I need to work on for next project is being more involved in the background research and the layout of the project. For this model I mostly helped create the actual board by drawing and coloring all of the cards along with the actual board. Being a part of coming up with the rules would have helped the rest of my team have more time towards the end of the project to perfect the model.