outline the production of plutonium by transmutation of uranium 238
discuss the steps
discuss toxicity of plutonium
Assignment
questions due on 4/29
Session Minutes
30
Minutes Student Attended
45
Lesson Comments
Went through the steps from uranium to plutonium
Discussed the toxicity of plutonium when ingested and when inhaled
discussed organs affected by plutonium and the oxides of plutonium which are benign
I administered the Chapter 19 quiz to Jackson today. Thereafter we resumed, and completed, consideration of Chapter 20, addressing possible governmental issues in the future. Discussion was first-rate.
Jackson and I analyzed the book and determined that we would write a paper. We began brainstorming topics that will be expanded on to determine if they are acceptable for the full paper.
Today I began by returning Jackson's graded Chapter 18 quiz (26/30) and went over it with him.
Thereafter we completed consideration of Chapter 19 and very briefly started Chapter 20.
Jackson worked on his outline for his paper. He is researching the details for his paper and is building his arguments. He will be finishing up his outline in the next few days and moving forward with the rough draft.
Outline and discuss fusion-pros and cons
outline the suns fusion reaction and then discuss the more typical deuterium-tridium reaction use diagram and outline the parts of a nuclear reactor and how it produces steam
Assignment
read printout on fusion and reactions
Session Minutes
90
Minutes Student Attended
90
Lesson Comments
Fusion and the suns reactions were arrived at through a series of questions and nuclear reaction formula. Jackson discussed some of the pros and cons of using fusion reactions to produce power, and related them to fission power.
Discussed how a fission reactor works, looked at a schematic diagram and then at a short video which tied it all together.
discuss stability of nuclei-strong forces and electrical repulsive forces
discuss why fission occurs-nuclear stretching
write the fission reaction of uranium-235
discuss chain reactions
discuss critical mass and methods of arriving at critical mass
compare to fusion
Assignment
n/a
Session Minutes
90
Minutes Student Attended
90
Lesson Comments
We worked through a series of questions and answers to arrive at the fission reaction, the how of it and the nuclear shape.
Discussed why uranium ore does not fission, the need for isotopes of U-235 and to achieve uranium enrichment.
demo'd a chain reaction using molecular models and the idea of critical mass.
