Energy and Place
Essential Questions:
1.) How does energy production and consumption impact place?
2.) How does your sense of place, environmental ethic and understanding of our energy needs influence your perception and decisions relating to energy production and consumption?
1.) How does energy production and consumption impact place?
2.) How does your sense of place, environmental ethic and understanding of our energy needs influence your perception and decisions relating to energy production and consumption?
Changing the Direction of Radioactive Particles Through the Use of Magnetic Fields
Abstract:
We decided to look at how different radioactive substances can be altered by a magnetic pull. We took the radioactive substances, alpha, beta and gamma, and put a Geiger counter three inches away, and then measured the radioactive counts that the substances released with and without the magnets. We concluded that the beta radiation molecules had the highest count of radioactive molecules. This answered our question, can we deflect radiation by magnetic fields, by telling us that yes, magnets can alter the direction of the radioactive substances. This is significant in our daily lives because it can help us reduce the amount of radiation that humans are exposed to on a daily basis. The keywords that will be seen throughout the report are the different decays, and some of the tools that we used, such as the Geiger counter. There are only three decays: alpha, beta and gamma. Alpha is the weakest decay, beta is the middle and then gamma is the strongest decay, with very penetrating rays. To be able to do this experiment, we used a Geiger counter, which counts the radioactive molecules in the surrounding air every second.
Introduction:
This experiment was chosen by the group because we wanted to gain a higher knowledge of different radioactive substances and the different ways that the radiation can be altered. We were hoping to learn if we could create a diversion of radioactive particles with the use of magnets. The task that we completed by doing this experiment was using magnetic fields to affect the radioactive particles. Before we did the experiment, we researched the three different radioactive substances that we were going to be using. Alpha is the weakest decay, beta is the middle and then gamma is the strongest decay, with very penetrating rays. To be able to do this experiment, we used a Geiger counter, which counts the radioactive molecules in the surrounding air every second. We are expecting to find that the gamma radiation is the only one that would not be altered by the magnetic pull.
Procedure:
First we set up the Geiger counter and Logger Pro so that we could record our data. Next, we placed a ruler next to the counter and measured out the distances for our shielded sources and our magnets. We put our sources at 3 and half inches and our magnets at 3 inches from the geiger counter. The, we set the Logger Pro Program to record for 50 seconds and collect data every second. We would then run the program at with the magnet taped vertically upright and pointed at the collection window of the counter as shown in diagram one below. We would run the program once without magnets and once with the magnets.
Diagram 1: Experiment Setup
First we set up the Geiger counter and Logger Pro so that we could record our data. Next, we placed a ruler next to the counter and measured out the distances for our shielded sources and our magnets. We put our sources at 3 and half inches and our magnets at 3 inches from the geiger counter. The, we set the Logger Pro Program to record for 50 seconds and collect data every second. We would then run the program at with the magnet taped vertically upright and pointed at the collection window of the counter as shown in diagram one below. We would run the program once without magnets and once with the magnets.
Results:
In Table 1, we are shown three types of radiation both being affected by magnetic fields and not being affected magnetic fields. We see as we progress down the table the counts increase and then decrease this is because of the different sources we used as well as the types of radiation they emitted. We see that in the case of Alpha radiation the overall counts from the background radiation go up and that the magnets tend to have little effect on the overall counts. In the case of Beta radiation we see a huge increase in counts compared to background radiation. We also see that the magnets have a huge impact upon the overall counts. When the magnets were in place the average count was decreased by 198.67 counts. Next we look at Gamma where we see a moderate increase in radiation counts. We also see that the magnets have almost no effect.
Discussion:
In this experiment we were seeing if we could change the direction of radioactive particles through the use of magnetic fields. We used three different types of radioactive substances each emitting a different type of radiation: Alpha, Beta and Gamma. With the use of magnets, we were able to see a change in the path of some radioactive particles.
We looked at three types of radiation Particles. One particle we looked at was Alpha particles. Alpha radiation is Helium nuclei that are shooting off from bigger nuclei at high speeds. As seen in table one there was little to no difference in the amount of counts when a magnetic field was introduced into the path of the particles. This was partially unexpected as helium nuclei have a positive charge and should be affected by the magnetic field. The reason there was no effect is because alpha particles are heavy and the source was to close to the Geiger counter for the particles to change direction enough to not be counted.
Next, we looked at Beta radiation particles. Beta radiation is comprised of an electron and an antineutrino. The electron shoots of at a very high speed and is what is actually considered the radiation particle. We see that the count when way down when the magnetic field was introduced. This is because of the weight of the electron which is almost negligible this allowed the electrons to be affected in a greater way than the helium nuclei. They were also deflected in the opposite way of the alpha radiation because they are negatively charged while alpha is positively charged.
Finally we looked at Gamma radiation. Gamma radiation is actually photons. Photons have no charge and can not be affected by magnets. This is why we see no significant change in the count of the radiation particles. We see some change because the rate of decay is not constant but varied in the rate.
Overall from these results we can determine that some types of radiation particles can be affected by magnetic fields. Alpha and Beta can both be affected by magnetic fields. Gamma cannot.
Hazards:
Some of these hazards in this experiment aren’t very significant but should be taken into account. For example, the radiation emitting from the radioactive substances can be harmful but you can still become irradiated, to reduce the amount of radiation you are exposed to during this experiment, don’t hold the gamma substances for too long. Gamma radiation emits the most radiation followed by Beta and lastly Alpha, which is the least harmful. To reduce the risks during this experiment you should follow basic protocol of being safe in the lab.
Infographic
Project Reflection:
While researching, designing, conducting, analyzing and writing about how to bend radiation with metal, a topic my group came up with, showed me how after asking a question you can truly find the answer yourself by going through the right procedures to get yourself a valuable answer. This has shaped my perspective on scientist because once they have a question they try multiple ways to find the answer and are constantly making sure it's correct and they have a reasonable way to prove it. During my investigation on bending radiation with magnates I have learned that with different types of energy and energy resources there is potential in creating a safer environment, for us all to live in.
While completing my infographic on the pro's and con's of solar energy I learned a lot about how to make an infographic and make it looks neat and clean. I also learned a lot about Piktochart and feel confident using it for other infographics for the future. While doing the research on solar panels I got the opportunity to make sure the resources I was using were valuable and there information was reliable. After doing lots of research on solar panels and making sure to notice both sides I have come to the choice that we should start using solar panels as one of our main resources for energy. For my infographic I wanted to inform my audience about both the pros and the cons of using solar panel energy. Personally I feel like it is important to be informed about both sides before choosing which resinates with your soul the most.
While researching, designing, conducting, analyzing and writing about how to bend radiation with metal, a topic my group came up with, showed me how after asking a question you can truly find the answer yourself by going through the right procedures to get yourself a valuable answer. This has shaped my perspective on scientist because once they have a question they try multiple ways to find the answer and are constantly making sure it's correct and they have a reasonable way to prove it. During my investigation on bending radiation with magnates I have learned that with different types of energy and energy resources there is potential in creating a safer environment, for us all to live in.
While completing my infographic on the pro's and con's of solar energy I learned a lot about how to make an infographic and make it looks neat and clean. I also learned a lot about Piktochart and feel confident using it for other infographics for the future. While doing the research on solar panels I got the opportunity to make sure the resources I was using were valuable and there information was reliable. After doing lots of research on solar panels and making sure to notice both sides I have come to the choice that we should start using solar panels as one of our main resources for energy. For my infographic I wanted to inform my audience about both the pros and the cons of using solar panel energy. Personally I feel like it is important to be informed about both sides before choosing which resinates with your soul the most.
River Watch Lab
During the first part of the river watch I was in-charge of the recording process, then for the main part of the lab my job was to pour out the drops of the acid into the water along with counting how many drops. Towards the end of the lab I was also in-charge of recording down our results, making sure the supplies were clean and neatly put away.
My first steps in the lab were to go out to the creek and get water samples along with measuring the amount of water in the creek and checking temperature of the water. Then once back in the lab room my two partners and I set up the acid and other supplies how we wanted them. Then we poured the water into the beaker along with adding drops of a substance into the creek water. After we mixed it together we added the acid making sure to count how many drops of acid and making sure it was falling at a steady pace, then we recorded our data.
My first steps in the lab were to go out to the creek and get water samples along with measuring the amount of water in the creek and checking temperature of the water. Then once back in the lab room my two partners and I set up the acid and other supplies how we wanted them. Then we poured the water into the beaker along with adding drops of a substance into the creek water. After we mixed it together we added the acid making sure to count how many drops of acid and making sure it was falling at a steady pace, then we recorded our data.
Materials Unit Project
Letter to Newell Rubbermaid Office Products
Reflection
“How has the chemistry of materials shaped our past, present and how may it shape our future?”
The chemistry of materials is the basis for everything in the world that uses tangible substances. In the past humans may have made use of their surroundings without a clear understanding of the chemical basis of the materials, but as knowledge grew, advancements in society followed. Chemistry of materials is the basis for all of the advances in construction, transportation, utilities, food production, and advancement in communication technology.
Our future will be affected by further changes in our knowledge of materials leading to things such as such as robotics, space travel, and improving essential items in everyday life. The eraser materials project is an example of how further changes in use of materials, based on their chemistry, may have an impact of environmental sustainability and improve a relatively simple object used in every day life.
“How does the structure of matter on the atomic, molecular, microscopic and macroscopic levels determine a material’s properties?”
It is the structure of matter,from the very smallest level we can understand to the macro level that determines how a material behaves in its environment. For example the improvements in the size, weight and appearance of new computers or cell phones is based on the changes in substances used to make the new products. In the new and improved eraser project I looked at the atomic as well as macroscopic level of the substances that make up the eraser and it’s function as I looked to make improvements. My goals were certain properties and in order to obtain those properties I had to understand the relationship of the structure of matter to the properties in order to make changes that would produce an improved product.
The chemistry of materials is the basis for everything in the world that uses tangible substances. In the past humans may have made use of their surroundings without a clear understanding of the chemical basis of the materials, but as knowledge grew, advancements in society followed. Chemistry of materials is the basis for all of the advances in construction, transportation, utilities, food production, and advancement in communication technology.
Our future will be affected by further changes in our knowledge of materials leading to things such as such as robotics, space travel, and improving essential items in everyday life. The eraser materials project is an example of how further changes in use of materials, based on their chemistry, may have an impact of environmental sustainability and improve a relatively simple object used in every day life.
“How does the structure of matter on the atomic, molecular, microscopic and macroscopic levels determine a material’s properties?”
It is the structure of matter,from the very smallest level we can understand to the macro level that determines how a material behaves in its environment. For example the improvements in the size, weight and appearance of new computers or cell phones is based on the changes in substances used to make the new products. In the new and improved eraser project I looked at the atomic as well as macroscopic level of the substances that make up the eraser and it’s function as I looked to make improvements. My goals were certain properties and in order to obtain those properties I had to understand the relationship of the structure of matter to the properties in order to make changes that would produce an improved product.