Radioactivity Research Assignment

There is a ton of information on the Internet about radioactivity. You should be able to find answers to most of the questions below in one period on the Internet. If you miss some things, use your textbook when you go home, or get back on the Internet if you wish.

Questions:

1.  INCLUDE A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SITES AND BOOKS USED!

2.  Define radioactivity in your own words. Name and describe briefly each of the three types of radiation that can be emitted by objects (three types of radioactivity).

3.  Name at least two physicists that contributed to the development of our understanding of radioactivity and explain what he/she contributed for each.

4.  Name some sources of radiation. You must include examples for each of the following groups of sources:

a.  Geological

b.  Cosmic/atmospheric

c.  Human-made.

5.  Where does most of our exposure to radiation come from? Are we at a serious health risk due to radiation exposure?

6.  What is “natural luminosity”/ “phosphorescence”/ “fluorescence”? What does it have to do with excited electrons and the Bohr model of the atom?

7.  Name at least two technologies that result from our knowledge of radioactivity. Describe each.

8.  Name at least two careers where some knowledge of radioactivity is required.

Resources:

1.  Giancoli, Ch. 30-31

2.  Merrill, Ch. 30-31

3.  Internet – suggested websites …

a.  Generally useful sites:

i.  Ask Jeeves (many questions about radioactivity, radiation, careers, …)

ii. Encarta Online

iii.  Google.com (search for radioactivity, radiation, careers, technology, and other stuff)

iv.  http://www.fnrf.science.cmu.ac.th/theory/radiation

b.  Historical info

i.  http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/Radioactivity/Radioactivity.html

ii. http://wwwlapp.in2p3.fr/neutrinos/centenaire/rada.html

c.  Types of radiation (bad page design but good info)

i.  www.umich.edu/~radinfo/introduction/natural.html

ii. www.umich.edu/~radinfo/introduction/source.html

d.  Risk and Exposure

i.  www.fipr.state.fl.us/fipr036.htm

e.  Bohr model

i.  http://library.thinkquest.org/19662/low/eng/model-bohr.html

ii. http://www.sikh-history.com/education/physics/atom.html

f.  Careers

i.  www.epa.gov/radiation/students/careers.html

g.  If time, try the “Control a Reactor” simulation at www.ida.liu.se/~her/npp/demo.html
It’s fun!