A series of “Powers of Ten” is sequentially displayed, beginning with a square covering 1023 m on a side and progressing through 10-16 m on a side. The scale and description of what is being seen is given on each image.
This site consists of a series of pages, each depicting and describing an object(s) on a different order of magnitude. There are 42 pages of this in all, for 42 powers of ten, starting with quarks (10^-14 meters) and ending with ‘near the limit of our knowledge’ (10^25 meters). The pictures ‘zoom out,’ with the quarks being part of a proton being part of a nucleus, and so on. There are short descriptions for each of the physics-related objects (i.e. quarks, atoms, clusters) and some of the locations, as well as links to more extensive descriptions. Also included is a page on units and scales.
This simple and engaging astronomy activity explains nuclear fusion and how radiation is generated by stars, using marshmallows as a model. Learners will explore what cosmic radiation is and where it comes from, and how the elements in the universe are generated. The PDF contains step-by-step instructions, photos, presentation tips, links to background information, and a printable Periodic Table of the Elements.
This is the portal for the Concord Consortium’s Science of Atoms and Molecules Project (SAM), a collection of field-tested activities designed to integrate biology, chemistry, and physics. Each activity provides guided explorations through simulations and models, all within a framework that builds a foundation for understanding atomic/molecular structure. The collection features four themes: motion and energy, charge, atoms/molecules, and light. The overarching concept that connects all four is that atoms and molecules are the fundamental basis for all interactions.
This tutorial on nuclear chemistry for non-scientists explores the basics of radioactive decay and nuclear fission. It contains four interactive simulations that depict fission of a U-235 atom, two types of radioactive chain reactions, and nuclear fusion. Editor’s Note: This tutorial could be highly useful to teachers seeking additional content knowledge in radioactivity and nuclear fission. The conversational language is appropriate for high school students as well. Don’t miss the “Questions and Quizzes” and links to additional resources on the topic.
