Radioactivity: Difference between revisions
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== | {| class="wikitable" style="color:black; background-color:#ddd; margin-left: auto; float:right" | ||
| [[Physics]]: | |||
| Radioactivity | |||
|- | |||
| Grade Range: | |||
| [[Middle School]], [[High School]] | |||
|- | |||
| Format: | |||
| [[Hands-on]] | |||
|} | |||
This demonstration allows students to learn what a radioactive material can look like, and is a good way to introduce radioactivity in a non-threatening way. All materials for this demonstration are safe for students to handle, and give students and their parents a chance to see how we detect radiation. | |||
== Materials == | == Materials == | ||
* SOEKS Dosimeter | |||
* Geiger Counter | |||
* Uranium sample | |||
* Fiestaware plate sample | |||
* Trinitite sample | |||
== Safety Precautions == | == Safety Precautions == | ||
* This demonstration utilizes a Dosimeter, which needs to be carefully taken care of. Remove the batteries from it when it is no longer in use to preserve battery life. It is a sensitive piece of equipment, so never drop it or you may disrupt the equipment inside. If you notice that the batteries are low, be sure to plug the device in when you return to the planetarium, and allow it to charge overnight. Do not leave it plugged in for more than 24 hours. | |||
* This demonstration uses radioactive materials. Be careful not to let small children put '''anything''' from this demonstration in their mouths. Make sure that students know to wash their hands after this demonstration if they handled any of the samples. | |||
* '''''Do not let anyone keep any of the radioactive samples'''''. The pieces are safe to hold and examine, but be sure to have all pieces returned to you before the end of the demonstration. | |||
* The plate gives off Beta-decay and Alpha-decay at moderate levels, so it should be kept in the plastic basin until needed during the presentation. The Uranium ore sample gives off Beta-decay and Alpha-decay as well, but at much lower levels, and can be kept out of the bin during the performance. The Trinitite gives off Alpha-decay. All the samples are safe to handle. | |||
* All Science Theatre Officers who will be using this demonstration should go through the [http://www.oeos.msu.edu/TRAIN/RDR/ EHS Radiation Safety Refresher Training]. Officers and volunteers are not required to go through this training, but officers are strongly encouraged to do so. Officers are required to instruct volunteers on safe handling of radioactive samples, the Dosimeter, and proper presentation of this demonstration. | |||
== Demonstration == | |||
1. Steps for the demonstration. | |||
2. Be sure to clarify on steps about any safety equipment needed. | |||
3. Make sure steps can be understood by a first-time reader. | |||
== | == Why This Works == | ||
===Short Explanation=== | |||
This is where you would provide a basic, easy-to-understand explanation of the demonstration. Try not to use too much "Science Jargon", and if needed add any explanation tips, like comparing the demo to something kids are familiar with. | |||
== | ===Full Explanation=== | ||
This is where you will explain the demonstration in full, and provide all additional information that pertains to the demo. Unlike the short explanation above, this should be worded so someone who is familiar with the topics might understand it. If needed, you can provide equations and citations for additional sources of information on the topic. This is also where you will find some answers for trickier questions, such as "How does a plane fly upside-down?" for the Bernoulli's Principle demo. | |||
== Additional Information == | |||
* Any extra tidbits that do not fit into other sections | |||
* This demonstration is a part of the (insert [[Stage Show]] here) | |||
Revision as of 16:03, 29 January 2016
| Physics: | Radioactivity |
| Grade Range: | Middle School, High School |
| Format: | Hands-on |
This demonstration allows students to learn what a radioactive material can look like, and is a good way to introduce radioactivity in a non-threatening way. All materials for this demonstration are safe for students to handle, and give students and their parents a chance to see how we detect radiation.
Materials
- SOEKS Dosimeter
- Geiger Counter
- Uranium sample
- Fiestaware plate sample
- Trinitite sample
Safety Precautions
- This demonstration utilizes a Dosimeter, which needs to be carefully taken care of. Remove the batteries from it when it is no longer in use to preserve battery life. It is a sensitive piece of equipment, so never drop it or you may disrupt the equipment inside. If you notice that the batteries are low, be sure to plug the device in when you return to the planetarium, and allow it to charge overnight. Do not leave it plugged in for more than 24 hours.
- This demonstration uses radioactive materials. Be careful not to let small children put anything from this demonstration in their mouths. Make sure that students know to wash their hands after this demonstration if they handled any of the samples.
- Do not let anyone keep any of the radioactive samples. The pieces are safe to hold and examine, but be sure to have all pieces returned to you before the end of the demonstration.
- The plate gives off Beta-decay and Alpha-decay at moderate levels, so it should be kept in the plastic basin until needed during the presentation. The Uranium ore sample gives off Beta-decay and Alpha-decay as well, but at much lower levels, and can be kept out of the bin during the performance. The Trinitite gives off Alpha-decay. All the samples are safe to handle.
- All Science Theatre Officers who will be using this demonstration should go through the EHS Radiation Safety Refresher Training. Officers and volunteers are not required to go through this training, but officers are strongly encouraged to do so. Officers are required to instruct volunteers on safe handling of radioactive samples, the Dosimeter, and proper presentation of this demonstration.
Demonstration
1. Steps for the demonstration.
2. Be sure to clarify on steps about any safety equipment needed.
3. Make sure steps can be understood by a first-time reader.
Why This Works
Short Explanation
This is where you would provide a basic, easy-to-understand explanation of the demonstration. Try not to use too much "Science Jargon", and if needed add any explanation tips, like comparing the demo to something kids are familiar with.
Full Explanation
This is where you will explain the demonstration in full, and provide all additional information that pertains to the demo. Unlike the short explanation above, this should be worded so someone who is familiar with the topics might understand it. If needed, you can provide equations and citations for additional sources of information on the topic. This is also where you will find some answers for trickier questions, such as "How does a plane fly upside-down?" for the Bernoulli's Principle demo.
Additional Information
- Any extra tidbits that do not fit into other sections
- This demonstration is a part of the (insert Stage Show here)