6.06: Nuclear Reactions Worksheet—Assignment Template Part 1 (20 points)

Describe how your answers changed on the survey from the beginning of the lesson to the end.

Explain which parts of the lesson helped change your mind.
If your answer did not change, explain which parts of the lesson supported your original opinion.
WRITE IN COMPLETE SENTENCES.

Your paper must be written in your own words, combining information from all the sources you use. Refer to the lesson for help on using quotations on small amounts of text.

Statement
How my answer changed
Part of the lesson or other evidence that changed my mind / supported my original answer
The wastes from nuclear power plants are very toxic.

Nuclear power plants produce less air pollution than power plants that use fossil fuels.

Nuclear power plants are safe.

The benefits of nuclear power outweigh the risks.

Part Two (20 points)
Design a diagram, sketch, or other model to show changes in the nucleus of an atom during nuclear fission and fusion. Include a short description and a way to compare the amounts of energy released in each event. Here is an example using alpha decay.

Example
In alpha decay, the parent nucleus loses an alpha particle, which is two protons and two neutrons. The new nucleus is smaller than the original. Alpha particles have a high amount of kinetic energy and can damage skin and living tissue. But, they are easy to shield against and can be stopped by paper or fabric.

Fission

Diagram, sketch or model

Description:

Fusion

Diagram, sketch or model:

Description: