Probing past and future materials with neutrons
Activities
Access Excellence (USA)
Determining the structure of a molecule – students create a simple molecular model, draw it, and then try to reconstruct it. This shows students the difficulty in determining the structure of molecules from X-ray diffraction patterns.
Earth Science Educational Resource Center (Stony Brook University, USA)
Bragg's law and diffraction: How waves reveal the atomic structure of crystals – provides a diagram showing two rays shining on two atomic layers of a crystal so that diffraction occurs. Students change angles and the distance between layers then click on 'Details' to determine if diffraction still occurs.
The MATTER Project (UK)
Why diffraction? – an interactive tutorial showing different diffraction patterns and how a wave interacts with a single particle and a solid material. Also provides an exercise asking students to match the appropriate wavelength of radiation with the objects being studied.
Science NetLinks (American Association for the Advancement of Science)
Carbon: Structure matters – students explore the molecular structure of matter and how it can affect the physical characteristics of a material.
Splitting the atom – students use the Internet to research the history of the splitting of the atom, and use that research to prepare a presentation on an aspect of that topic.
Dangers of radiation exposure – students learn about sources of high-energy radiation and calculate their exposure to ionizing radiation over the past year.
What do scientists do? – students develop an understanding of the diversity and nature of various science disciplines.
MicroWorlds (Advanced Light Source, University of California, USA)
Each of these modules provides background information and an activity relating to the atomic structure of materials.
Exploring the material world: Is carbon hard or soft?
Kevlar – the wonder material: I wonder what makes Kevlar so strong?
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Nuclear science in society – provides an introduction to nuclear technology in Australia. Includes activities on the themes 'About radioactivity', 'The nuclear age', 'Using radiation' and 'Choosing nuclear futures'.
Careers in science (Australia)
Choose your own adventure – illustrates to students how important and relevant scientific knowledge is to their future careers.
Posted March 2007.