The Harnessed AtomThe Harnessed Atom

Unit 1 Lesson 1

We Use Energy to:We Use Energy to:

Power factories & businessesHeat & Light Homes and SchoolsRun appliances & machinesFuel Cars, Airplanes, Trains & ShipsRun Televisions & GamesUse Telephones & ComputersMake Food & Clothing

Types of EnergyTypes of Energy

Potential Kinetic

Forms of EnergyForms of Energy

Mechanical

Chemical

Thermal

Electrical

Radiant

Nuclear

Ultimate Source of EnergyUltimate Source of Energy

The SunPhotosynthesisHeatAir CurrentsOcean Currents

Primary Sources of EnergyPrimary Sources of Energy

Fossil Fuels

Geothermal

Nuclear

Solar

Tidal/Water

EfficiencyEfficiency

Energy cannot be Created or DestroyedEnergy Conversions are Inefficient – someleaves as heatEnergy Conservation extends life of a resource

The Harnessed AtomThe Harnessed Atom

Unit 1 Lesson 2

What is Electricity?What is Electricity?

The flow of electrons- as in a wireStatic – as when you comb your hairOur most versatile and adaptable form of energy

Electricity ProductionElectricity Production

By converting one source of energy into heat

Fossil fuel (coal, oil, natural gas)UraniumWaterSolarWindBiomassGeothermal

Electricity ProductionElectricity Production

Heat up Water to make SteamSteam turns a TurbineTurbine moves a Magnet through a coil of WireMagnetic Field causes the e- to move

How do we Move ElectricityHow do we Move Electricity

About 1000 UtilitiesBuild PlantsString /Bury WireFuel for plantsMeters on houses & businesses

UtilitiesUtilities

Cover a specific regionAre Regulated

It’s essentialMust provide as neededMust provide amt. neededCharge fair rates

Build based on Prediction of Usage

The Harnessed AtomThe Harnessed Atom

Unit 2 Lesson 1

AtomAtom

92 different natural atomsElements are different kinds of atomsCombining different atoms makes moleculesCombined during a chemical reactionBuilding blocks of the universe

AtomsAtoms

NucleusProtons – positive charge

• Identify the Atom

Neutrons – no charge

ElectronsNegative chargeMove around Nucleus

#Protons = #ElectronsBalanced charge

IsotopeIsotope

Same type of atom, different number of neutronsAll atoms are isotopesHave the same chemical propertiesName + mass

U-235 or Uranium-235

Isotope StabilityIsotope Stability

Some Proton/Neutron ratios more stable than othersStabilize themselves by emitting radiationCalled Radioactive Decay

EnergyParticles

The Harnessed AtomThe Harnessed Atom

Unit 2 Lesson 2

RadiationRadiation

Radioactive DecayUnstable Isotopes seek to be more stableRelease energy & particles

RadiationEnergy orParticles released

RadioactiveSubstance giving off radiation

Radiation TypesRadiation Types

AlphaTiny bits of atomsStopped by paper

BetaSmaller particlesStopped by aluminum foil

GammaElectromagnetic waveFast & StrongStopped by cement or steel

Ionizing RadiationIonizing Radiation

Alpha, Beta and Gamma Can Change the chemical make up of thingsExposure can be dangerous

Shields are used to stopMechanical hands & robots

Half-LifeHalf-Life

Decay at RandomEventually decay to a stable elementDecay Chain – transformation into different elements before becoming stableHalf Life

Amount of time for a given isotope to lose half of its radioactivity

The Harnessed AtomThe Harnessed Atom

Unit 2 Lesson 3

Recognizing RadiationRecognizing Radiation

Cannot see, hear, touch or smell itIonizing Radiation

Knocks e- off atomsThese atoms become +

Geiger Counters sense tiny electrical changesPhotographic film badges record radiation

WarningsWarnings

Doors where radioactive materials are used or storedBoxes & ContainersSame laws require labeling of:

Poisons, explosives, flammables, combustibles

Radiation DoseRadiation Dose

Radiation Dose – depends on

Time exposedAmount of shieldingDistance from source

Reduce Radiation DoseDecrease timeDecrease distanceIncrease shielding

ExposureExposure

Most people receive 150-200 millirems /yearLow Level - <5,000milliremsNo effects at 50,000milliremsAt low levels the body repairs itselfRadiation Sickness>100,000milliremsDeath>500,000millirems

The Harnessed AtomThe Harnessed Atom

Unit 2 Lesson 4

Background RadiationBackground Radiation

SourcesOceanMountains/Ground

• Potassium• Thorium• uranium

AirFoodSpace (gamma)

Uranium DepositsUranium Deposits

New MexicoNevadaUtahWyomingColoradoIndiaBrazil

Building MaterialsBuilding Materials

Materials such as:BricksWoodStone

Brick Homes50-100millirems/yrWooden Homes30-50millirems/yr

Cosmic RadiationCosmic Radiation

Screened by clouds & airHigher altitudes receive more than lower altitudesAir Plane trip4 millirems

OrganismsOrganisms

Plants & Animals made of radioactive elementsFood & Drink 25 milliremsBananas & Brazil Nuts have more

Man Made sourcesMan Made sources

Medical / Dental sourcesBuilding MaterialsNuclear IndustryCoal Fired Power PlantsNuclear Weapons testingAvg. 80 millirems/yr

Levels of Background RadiationLevels of Background Radiation

SC Average Background RadiationSC Average Background Radiation

Manmade radiation level80 milliremsNatural radiation level107 milliremsTotal = 187 millirems

The Harnessed AtomThe Harnessed Atom

Unit 2 Lesson 5

Medical UsesMedical Uses

Cancer Treatment Gamma Radiation to kill cancer cells

X-rays (em waves)black & white picture of dense areas

CAT Scannerscolor pictures of inside our bodies

Scintillation Counterimage of chemical reactions using radioactive tracer given the patient

LabelingTracers to follow things in our body

Science UsesScience Uses

Radioactive Tracers inSize of oil fieldsTrack Ocean CurrentsAir & Water

• Pollution Paths• Nutrient Cycles

Plants & Animals• Pollution paths• Nutrient paths

Science UsesScience UsesDating Ancient Objects

All living things take in CarbonCarbon-14 is a natural isotopeWhen organisms die, they no longer take in CC-14 begins to decayHalf-life of C-14 is 5,760yrsMeasure difference of C-14 in old and new objectUranium, Rubidium and Potassium used for older objects

Crime SolvingCrime Solving

Activation AnalysisEvidence is exposed to radiationSome of the elements will be activatedExact chemical signature can be read

Industrial UsesIndustrial Uses

Agricultural usesCreate disease resistant/ fast growing plantsControl Insects by sterilizing males

Irradiation Kills germs without making the object radioactive

• Food• Medical Equipment

Industrial UsesIndustrial UsesControl thickness of:

GluesPaperPlasticFoil

Fill sensors for Cartons & boxesCheck Contents of Containers or Luggage

Industrial UsesIndustrial Uses

Radiography – x-raysTo find defects in metals & weldsFlow of fluid in hydraulicsRate of wearing outBlending of metals

Energy forPacemakersLights on runways & buoysPower space craft

The Harnessed AtomThe Harnessed Atom

Unit 2 Lesson 6

FissionFission

FissionSplitting of an atomReleases energy / heatEnd with two new smaller elements2 or 3 neutrons released

FissionFission

Chain ReactionOne neutron splits one atom & releases 3 neutrons3 neutrons split three atoms & release 9 neutronsAnd so on and so on

FusionFusion

Two atoms are joined togetherEnergy / heat is releasedDeuterium & Tritium combine to make HeliumNeutron releasedEx. The Sun

Fusion – on earthFusion – on earth

Magnetic field to confine H isotopesHeat to 100mil oCH becomes a Plasma

Electricity alters itMagnetism molds it

1 gal Seawater = 300 gal Gas