Binding Blocks: building the Universe one nucleus at the time
Physics Education
2017-03-08 v2 Nuclear Experiment
Nuclear Theory
Popular Physics
Abstract
We present a new teaching and outreach activity based around the construction of a three-dimensional chart of isotopes using LEGO bricks. The activity, \emph{Binding Blocks}, demonstrates nuclear and astrophysical processes through a seven-meter chart of all nuclear isotopes, built from over 26,000 LEGO bricks. It integrates A-level and GCSE curricula across areas of nuclear physics, astrophysics, and chemistry, including: nuclear decays (through the colours in the chart); nuclear binding energy (through tower heights); production of chemical elements in the cosmos; fusion processes in stars and fusion energy on Earth; as well as links to medical physics, particularly diagnostics and radiotherapy.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1610.02296,
title = {Binding Blocks: building the Universe one nucleus at the time},
author = {C. Aa. Diget and A. Pastore and K. Leech and T. Haylett and S. Lock and T. Sanders and M. Shelley and H. V. Willett and J. Keegans and L. Sinclair and E. C. Simpson},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1610.02296},
year = {2017}
}
Comments
Minor changes