Introduction

Nuclear chemistry may be the most controversial topic covered in an introductory chemistry course.  People generally have an opinion about nuclear energy and weapons, yet many of these opinions are often founded on misunderstandings and propaganda.  When forming an opinion about any subject, it is crucial that you understand not only the facts involved, but also the point of view of the people presenting the facts.

The purpose of this Web page is to give you a sampling of some topics related to nuclear chemistry.  You will be exposed to numerous points of view about the processes and uses of nuclear energy.  You are to work alone on this project and visit each of the web sites to find the answers to each of the questions.  I strongly encourage you to explore each of the sites and find answers to your own personal questions.  If you have any problems or unanswered questions, feel free to visit me during scheduled tutoring times and I will be happy to help you out.  Be sure to finish this assignment by the due date as late papers will not be accepted.  Also, make sure that you do your own work.  Academic dishonesty will earn you a grade of a zero.  Good luck!!!

Sincerely,
Mr. Fuller
 

Activity 1:  The Nucleus

Nuclear Physics
Radioactivity

1.  Whose experiment used gold foil to discover the presence of a nucleus?

2.  What does the term "binding energy" mean?

3.  Who developed the equation "E = mc²" and what does it mean?

4.  What is radioactive decay?

5.  What are the three main types of radiation?  Explain each one.

6.  Give two reasons that a atom would undergo radioactive decay.
 

Activity 2:  Nuclear Fission and Fussion

SHCOAC  Nuclear Chemistry:  Fission
Stars and Fusion
Basic Fusion

1.  What is the difference between fission and fussion?

2.  Which process, fission or fussion, is used in modern-day nuclear reactors?

3.  Give a brief description of how a star is formed and the nuclear process behind it?

4.  What is a fissle isotope?

5.  What element is used in nuclear reactors and what isotope of that element is radioactive?
 

Activity 3:  Nuclear Power Plants

What is Uranium
Index to Nuclear Power Plant Design

1.  In nuclear fission, what is meant by a "chain reaction"?

2.  What type of nuclear reaction is responsible for producing the heat in a nuclear power plant?

3.  What is the steam in a nuclear power plant used for?

4.  Can the radioactive material in a nuclear power plant explode like in a nuclear bomb?  If so, how?  If not, what does it do instead?

5.  Make a sketch of a typical nuclear power plant.

6.  What percent of the world's electricity is generated from uranium in nuclear power plants?

7.  What two countries receive over 70% of their electrical energy from nuclear power plants?

8.  What is considered "low level waste" and what is considered "high level waste"?
 

Activity 4:  Nuclear Weapons 

Nuclear Weapons
New York Example
Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety

1.  To whom did Albert Einstein recommend the building of an "atomic" bomb?  How did Einstein feel about this recommendation later in his life?

2.  What was the name of the airplane used used to drop the first atomic bomb in the WW II bombing of Hiroshima?

3.  What type of radiation is released in a nuclear explosion?

4.  Besides uranium-235, what other element can be used in an atom bomb?

5.  What is the main difference between the two types of nuclear bombs (atom bombs vs. hydrogen bombs)?

6.  If a nuclear bomb were to be detonated in New York City during the day, how many estimated fatalities would there be after four seconds?
 

Activity 5:  Two Sides to Every Arguement

Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety
Southern Nuclear

Looking at the above two links, you will see that there are very different opinions about nuclear energy.  After answering the questions from the preceding activities and looking through the different links included in this project, how do you feel about nuclear energy?  Do you believe there are risks involved in the production of nuclear energy?  If so, do the benefits outweigh those risks?  What about nuclear weapons?  Do they provide the USA with increased security, or make us a target for more foreign countries?  Write your answer in a well-developed, short essay (a half page to one page in length.)
 

Conclusion

This assignment was developed to introduce the major topics of nuclear chemistry.  You should now know: 1) What is meant by fission and fusion and the types of radiation produced by these processes; 2) Who some of the major scientists involved in the history of nuclear chemistry research; 3) How nuclear energy and nuclear weapons have changed both the direction of our future and the political climate of our world; and 4) That there are many different opinions reguarding the uses of nuclear energy and weapons and that these opinions are based a great deal of assumption.   I hope that you enjoyed this and that next time subjects such as "The Nuclear Arms Race" or "Protesting at a Nuclear Powerplant" or "Cold Fusion Discovered" appear on the news, you will have the foundational knowledge needed to understand the issues at hand and the technology involved.

This document was last updated 12/28/99.