Science Probe II Technology Activities

Chapter 7

Internet

X rays, gamma rays, cosmic rays, alpha particles, and beta particles are all forms of what is popularly known as radiation, or the process of coming from a radioactive source. Conduct an Internet search on each of these to find answers to the following questions:

a.How are they different from one another?
b.How is each produced?
c.How does each affect the human body?
d.What is considered a safe dosage of each, separately?
e.What is considered a lethal dosage?

Prepare a multimedia presentation to inform your classmates of what you have learned. Below are web sites to get you started:

ABC’s of Nuclear Science
http://user88.lbl.gov/NSD_docs/abc/home.html

NASA's GSFC Glossary Page
http://www-spof.gsfc.nasa.gov/Education/gloss.html

Application Software

Activity 7A – Use a word processing program to set up the four-section table as directed in this activity. Complete the first three sections. As you read the sections, take your notes on the word processor. Transfer your notes to a presentation program, and share with classmates what you have learned. Print the document, and secure it in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook.

Activity 7C – Use a spreadsheet program to make your data table as directed in this activity. Record the data in the spreadsheet data table as you perform the activity. Use the graphing feature of the spreadsheet program to plot two separate graphs:

a.Plot a graph of the number of original nuclei remaining on the vertical axis and time (in shakes) on the horizontal axis.
b.Plot a graph of the number of nuclei decayed on the vertical axis and the time (in shakes) on the horizontal axis.

Print the final spreadsheet, data table, and graphs; secure them in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook where you will answer the discussion questions.

Probeware

Activity 7B – Use a radiation monitor connected to a computer in place of an ammeter and a Geiger counter while performing this activity. Place the radiation monitor in the same manner as directed for the Geiger counter. The computer application software will display and record the radiation intensity as you follow the procedure. When the procedure is completed, print the data table that was recorded by the application software; secure it in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook where you will answer the discussion questions.