Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3 Average
• http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_
science/terc/content/visualizations/es07
02/es0702page01.cfm?chapter_no=visu
alization
• http://www.tutorvista.com/content/physic
s/physics-ii/fission-and-fusion/nuclearreaction-animation.php
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Page 316
• To describe a nuclear fission chain
reaction.
• To list some factors that affect the rate of
nuclear chain reactions.
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Page 316
• In a nuclear fission chain reaction, a
nucleus is struck by a neutron, which
causes the nucleus to split inot two
smaller nuclei and to release other
neutrons. If these neutrons strike other
nuclei a chain reaction will occur.
• In this lab you will model a nuclear fission
chain reaction using dominoes.
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Page 316
• PROBLEM
How can you make a model of a
nuclear fission chain reaction?
• Materials
– Dominoes
– Watch
– Metric Ruler
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Page 316
• PROCEDURE
STAND 15 DOMINOES IN A
SINGLE STRAIGHT ROW.
• In such a way that the distance between
them is one half of their height.
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Page 316
• PROCEDURE
STAND 15 DOMINOES IN A
SINGLE STRAIGHT ROW.
• Repeat step one, two more times.
• Calculate the average.
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Page 316
• PROCEDURE
STAND 15 DOMINOES IN A
PATTERN WHERE ….
• One can knock down two as per the image
on page 316.
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Page 316
• PROCEDURE
STAND 15 DOMINOES IN A
PATTERN WHERE ……
• Repeat step 3, twice.
• Calculate average.
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Page 316
• PROCEDURE
STAND 15 DOMINOES IN A
PATTERN WHERE ……
• One can hit two with a metric ruler in the
middle, Repeat step 3, twice.
• Calculate average.
• Observe and record what happens
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Page 316
• PROCEDURE
STAND 15 DOMINOES IN A
PATTERN from step 3
• But set up 5 at right angles to 5 randomly
chosen dominoes for support. These will
represent atoms of a different isotope that
must be struck with more energy to undergo
fission.
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Page 316
• PROCEDURE
STAND 15 DOMINOES IN A
PATTERN from step 3
• Knock over the first.
• Measure and record time to fall.
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Page 316
• PROCEDURE
STAND 15 DOMINOES IN A
PATTERN from step 3
• Measure and record time to fall.
• Repeat twice
• Calculate average.
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Page 316
• PROCEDURE
STAND 15 DOMINOES IN A
PATTERN from step 3
• Repeat steps 6-8 with only 3 dominoes.
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Page 316
• PROCEDURE
STAND 15 DOMINOES IN A
PATTERN from step 3
• Repeat steps 6-8 with only 1 dominoes.
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Analyze and Conclude
Calculating
What was the average from step 1 and 2?
What was the average from step 3 and 4?
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Analyze and Conclude
Applying Concepts
What type of reaction was modeled in steps
3 and 4?
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Analyze and Conclude
Using Models
In your falling domino model of nuclear
fission chain reactions, what did a standing
domino represent?
What did the fall of a domino represent?
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Analyze and Conclude
Using Models
In your falling domino model of nuclear
fission chain reactions, what did the striking
of one domino by another represent?
What did the metric ruler represent?
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Analyze and Conclude
Analyzing Data
Before a sample of an easily fissionabie
isotope is used, it is refined by removing
less fissionable isotopes of the same
element. One the basis of your
observations in Steps 6-10, explain why this
refinement is necessary.
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Analyze and Conclude
Analyzing Data
Before a sample of an easily fissionabie
isotope is used, it is refined by removing
less fissionable isotopes of the same
element. One the basis of your
observations in Steps 6-10, explain why this
refinement is necessary.
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Analyze and Conclude
• Inferring
• What factors do you think would affect the
rate of a nuclear reaction?
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Analyze and Conclude
• Drawing Conclusions
• What do you think would happen to a
nuclear fission chain reaction if control rods
were not present?
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Analyze and Conclude
• Drawing Conclusions
• What are some of the limitations of using
dominoes to model a nuclear fission chain
reaction? Suggest how you might revise
this model to make it more representative of
a chain reaction.
Modeling a Chain Reaction
• Analyze and Conclude
• The Manhattan Project
• Learn about the Project and how it made
history. How does it relate to the lab?
Modeling a Chain Reaction
Data Table in Lab Books
Test
A
1
2
3
4
5
6
B
C
Average
Modeling a Chain Reaction
Test
A
IR
R
O
Y
G
B
P
UV
B
C
Average
Modeling a Chain Reaction
Test
A
1
2
3
4
5
6
B
C
Average
Modeling a Chain Reaction
Test
A
1
2
3
4
5
6
B
C
Average
Modeling a Chain Reaction
Test
A
1
2
3
4
5
6
B
C
Average
Modeling a Chain Reaction
Test
A
1
2
3
4
5
6
B
C
Average
Modeling a Chain Reaction
Test
A
1
2
3
4
5
6
B
C
Average
Modeling a Chain Reaction
Test
A
1
2
3
4
5
6
B
C
Average
Modeling a Chain Reaction
Test
A
1
2
3
4
5
6
B
C
Average