Cosmic Chemistry
Project description
The purpose of this project was to get a better understanding of cosmic chemistry by creating a model to either illustrate the changes in the composition of an atom during the process of fission, fusion or radioactive decay, or to illustrate the life span of the sun and the role of nuclear fusion in the sun's core to release energy in the form of radiation. We decided to create a model that illustrated the path of a photon from the sun to the earth, to demonstrate our knowledge of the energy transfer mechanisms. To do this, we created a board game where the players compete to reach the earth from the sun.
Background
Before working on the actual model, we did a lot of background work to solidify our understanding on the topic.
One thing that we did to strengthen our understanding on stars and cosmic chemistry was create star models. The first star model was basically a "brain drain" of everything that we knew about stars at that time. After that we learned more about the topic and created another model a few days later. The differences in the models show my progression of knowledge over time.
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We also did separate research projects where we split into groups and studied a specific piece of cosmic chemistry. After studying, we created posters to teach others in the class. We did a gallery walk and took notes on other groups' projects. This helped us to learn all different parts, and gave us the opportunity to be experts in one realm.
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Concepts
Photon- a particle that emits energy. In this project, we studied how photons of sunlight reach from the sun to the earth.
Subatomic Particles- A particle smaller than an atom. For example, the photon that we represented in out project.
Radioactive Decay- When a nuclei becomes unstable, the nucleus breaks down and releases energy. The instability is called radioactivity.
Nucleosynthesis-The process that creates new atomic nuclei from pre-existing nucleons, primarily protons and neutrons (according to a comic that we read in class, atoms slam together to form reactions)
Nuclear Transmutation-can be induced by accelerating a particle to collide it with the nuclide
Alpha Particle-A helium nucleus emitted by some radioactive substances through alpha decay.
Gamma Ray- A ray of penetrating electromagnetic radiation, emitted in gamma emission
Beta Particle-A fast-moving electron emitted by an atom or radioactive substance during Beta Decay
Iridium flare-the visible phenomenon caused by the reflective surfaces of passing satellites, reflecting sunlight toward the Earth below. This happens very rarely, but it was an example on our board game of how a photon might reach the earth faster than normal
Frequency-the rate at which a vibration occurs that constitutes a wave, either in a material (as in sound waves), or in an electromagnetic field (as in radio waves and light), usually measured per second. On the electromagnetic spectrum that we studied, the frequency and wavelength of something determines where it is on that spectrum.
Wavelength-the distance between successive crests of a wave, especially points in a sound wave or electromagnetic wave.
Quantum Theory- describes mathematically the wave properties of electrons and other very small particles
Nuclear fusion-Creation of energy by joining the nuclei of two hydrogen atoms to form helium.
Nuclear fission-The splitting of an atomic nucleus to release energy.
Half-life-length of time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay
Black Hole- When the inward forces of gravity on a star win out over the outward forces of pressure, the star collapses and creates a black hole
Supernova-When the outward forces of pressure on a star win out over the inward forces of gravity, the star explodes and creates a supernova. Supernovas are interesting because when they explode, elements trapped inside of them escape, and that is how most of our periodic table came to be.
Radiation-The emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles which cause ionization
Ion- An atom or group of atoms with a changed number of electrons
Isotope- Atoms of the same element that have different number of neutrons
Ground State- The lowest energy state of an atom.
Excited State- When an atom has a higher PE than in its ground state
Subatomic Particles- A particle smaller than an atom. For example, the photon that we represented in out project.
Radioactive Decay- When a nuclei becomes unstable, the nucleus breaks down and releases energy. The instability is called radioactivity.
Nucleosynthesis-The process that creates new atomic nuclei from pre-existing nucleons, primarily protons and neutrons (according to a comic that we read in class, atoms slam together to form reactions)
Nuclear Transmutation-can be induced by accelerating a particle to collide it with the nuclide
Alpha Particle-A helium nucleus emitted by some radioactive substances through alpha decay.
Gamma Ray- A ray of penetrating electromagnetic radiation, emitted in gamma emission
Beta Particle-A fast-moving electron emitted by an atom or radioactive substance during Beta Decay
Iridium flare-the visible phenomenon caused by the reflective surfaces of passing satellites, reflecting sunlight toward the Earth below. This happens very rarely, but it was an example on our board game of how a photon might reach the earth faster than normal
Frequency-the rate at which a vibration occurs that constitutes a wave, either in a material (as in sound waves), or in an electromagnetic field (as in radio waves and light), usually measured per second. On the electromagnetic spectrum that we studied, the frequency and wavelength of something determines where it is on that spectrum.
Wavelength-the distance between successive crests of a wave, especially points in a sound wave or electromagnetic wave.
Quantum Theory- describes mathematically the wave properties of electrons and other very small particles
Nuclear fusion-Creation of energy by joining the nuclei of two hydrogen atoms to form helium.
Nuclear fission-The splitting of an atomic nucleus to release energy.
Half-life-length of time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay
Black Hole- When the inward forces of gravity on a star win out over the outward forces of pressure, the star collapses and creates a black hole
Supernova-When the outward forces of pressure on a star win out over the inward forces of gravity, the star explodes and creates a supernova. Supernovas are interesting because when they explode, elements trapped inside of them escape, and that is how most of our periodic table came to be.
Radiation-The emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles which cause ionization
Ion- An atom or group of atoms with a changed number of electrons
Isotope- Atoms of the same element that have different number of neutrons
Ground State- The lowest energy state of an atom.
Excited State- When an atom has a higher PE than in its ground state
Our Project
The picture above is our board game. From the picture, you can see that the path from the Sun to the Earth is represented by a wave-like pattern, and that detail adds to our model. The game pieces represent the photons and the dice is used to move forwards in the game. To the right of the board game is a copy of the directions. On the directions sheet, extra facts are added to add depth to our model. Our board game is played by rolling the dice, and moving up that many squares. Along the way, there are obstacles that keep photons from reaching the Earth quickly, and those obstacles serve as setbacks in the game. The game models the path of a photon from the Sun to the Earth.
Steps:
1. The first step of this project was to figure out what learning target we wanted to dive deeper into and research
2. The second step was the research. We studied everything about the pathway of a photon to the earth, and brainstormed how we could make that into an interactive project or presentation.
3. Next, we worked on constructing our project by coming up with guidelines and directions, and then actually making the game
4. We continued making the game by adding obstacles, and creating a directions sheet for the players
5. Finally, we created a presentation so that we could share our project with the class
1. The first step of this project was to figure out what learning target we wanted to dive deeper into and research
2. The second step was the research. We studied everything about the pathway of a photon to the earth, and brainstormed how we could make that into an interactive project or presentation.
3. Next, we worked on constructing our project by coming up with guidelines and directions, and then actually making the game
4. We continued making the game by adding obstacles, and creating a directions sheet for the players
5. Finally, we created a presentation so that we could share our project with the class
Reflection
I felt that this was an interesting project because it let the students come up with their own ideas and let their creativity shine. If I could improve on this project, I would go more in depth with the board game so that it represented a more accurate model, and I would work harder on teamwork. My team worked well together, but there was a lack of teamwork in the presentation aspect of the project. We were more focused on the interactive piece of the project, and didn't focus as hard on the key details of the model, so when it came to presenting, we lacked the uniformity that we could've had with more time to practice as a team. Another thing I would improve upon would be to keep an empathetic attitude throughout the whole project, even when some things may have seemed stressful.
Something that I think I executed well in this project would be my leadership skills. I think that I took a leading role during this project to maintain the highest amount of work ethic and productivity possible. My favorite part of this project was actually seeing others present, because we all researched different things and had creative ideas, so it was interesting to learn about other pieces of cosmic chemistry and to see others' innovation.
Something that I think I executed well in this project would be my leadership skills. I think that I took a leading role during this project to maintain the highest amount of work ethic and productivity possible. My favorite part of this project was actually seeing others present, because we all researched different things and had creative ideas, so it was interesting to learn about other pieces of cosmic chemistry and to see others' innovation.