LESSON PLAN
NUWBER
1
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1, Introduction: .The purpose of this course is to acquaint you with
the basic concepts, of atomic exprosions and their effect,
.
2. Basic Atonte ‘Theory: nl matter is conceived as an aggregation
of atoms, Atoms can be further sub-divided into basic particles, electrons
neutrons, and proto Se ‘le think of the atom as having a nucleus formed
of protons and neutzuns, surrounded by a field of electrons,
The neutron
has no charge, the proton has a positive charge and the electron an equivalent negative charge. All. these particles have mass or weight, however,
the electron mass compared to the proton and neutron is negligible, We
will therefore: consider the proton and neutron as having a mass equivalent
to 1 mass unit, and the electfon as having a mass of zero (Draw any Hebatom
(on blackboard and Allustrate),;-.:
3.
Types of Radiation: a
.
a.
Gamma or Xray- ‘think. of as an electromagnetic wave.
b,
Beta ray- -think of as a stream of larg~ negative charged
Ce
Neutron- -think of as a stream of heavy particleswithout
particles, with negligible mass, traveling through space,
charge,
.
.
-
So
d. Alpha~ -think of as a stream of 5 He4atoms, without an elec-
tron field.
An alpha particle is a helium necleus, and’consists of two
(2) protons and two (2) neutrons tightly bound together,
hk.
Cause of Radiation:
Radiations are caused by an unbalanced con-
dition in the atom, that is an excess of energy in the atom,
lieves itself of this excess in energy by emitting radiations,
The atom re=
At present
we are only concerned with the nuclear radiations, or the radiations emanating from the atomic nucleus, ,
.
52
Atomic Explosion:
When bombarded with neutrons, Uranium 235 and
Plutoniumatoms fission or fly apart in two large particles and numerous
neutrons,
The total mass of these large particles and the neutrons is less
than the original mass of the Uranium 235 or Plutonium,
As mass and energy
are interchangable, this loss of mass appears as liberated energy, This
loss of mass and consequently the energy involved is thousands of times:
greater than the energy liberated from any known chemical reaction, The
energy is liberated in tho form of blast, heat, and radiation. We are primarily concerned in this course with the energy emitted as radiation, We
shall consider these radiations further in future lessons,