Mass Energy
equivalence
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Unit 10: Atomic Physics
Thursday, 4/23

Pick up a handout from the Physics bin and…

Read the handout

Complete the last section of your atom and radioactivity notes
Upcoming dates:
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Monday, 4/27 – open note atomic physics quiz (note: I will not accept any late

Tuesday, 5/12 – Rube Goldberg presentations (project is a test grade)
Friday, 5/22 – Last day to turn in 6SW extra credit
Wednesday, 5/27 – Bottle rocket launch (project is a test grade)
Tuesday, 6/2 – 4th period final exam (11:25 to 12:45)
Wednesday, 6/3 – 2nd period final exam (10:00 to 11:20)
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work related to atomic physics after the quiz has been taken)
Modern Physics and Society
 We
will watch the video as a class
 As we watch the video, complete the
guiding questions
Movie Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What was the name of scientist who approached Einstein at the
beginning of the movie? Leo Szilard
Why did he approach Einstein? He was worried that the Nazis would be
able to create a nuclear weapon and in the hands of Hitler could be
devastating. He wanted Einstein to write a letter to Franklin Roosevelt in
an effort to get the Americans to create a nuclear weapon before the
Nazis.
What was the societal impact of the letter they wrote? The birth of the
Manhattan Project – the creation of a nuclear weapon. Used against
the Japanese.
What do you think the world would be like if the letter was never
written?
Why did Einstein initially believe his famous equation was theoretical
and would never have a practical use? When the equation was
originally created it took more energy to unleash the mass than the
actual energy realized.
In the movie they discuss the concept of fission and the use of neutrons
to accomplish fission. How did this impact the creation of nuclear
weapons? Using neutrons to split up a nucleus to cause a chain
reaction. This process required minimal energy (compared to output) to
convert mass to energy.
Philosophical Chair
The scientist’s responsibility to society is
different from that of other citizens. Explain
how this statement might be true.
(California Institute of Technology college
essay writing prompt)
Do you agree or disagree?
What is Philosophical Chairs?
 “An organized dialogue
between people
Philosophical
Chairs
to actively engage in constructive
dialogue with one another”
Class is divided into like
positions on the topic
Ex: The scientist’s
responsibility to society
is different from that of
other citizens. .
Class is divided into like
positions on the topic
Ex: The scientist’s
responsibility to society
is different from that of
other citizens.
Classroom Set Up
The Mediator’s role
•
•
•
•
The Mediator
Remains neutral
Calls on sides to speak
May paraphrase arguments
made by each side for
clarification
Ensures participation by as
many students as possible
Rules of Engagement
Rules
of Engagement
 Understand the statement and choose a side.
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
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Listen carefully when others speak and seek to
understand their argument even if you don’t
agree.
Wait for the mediator to recognize you before you
speak; only one person speaks at a time.
You must first summarize briefly the previous
speaker’s arguments before you make your
response.
Rules of Engagement
the ideas, not the
Rules of Engagement
 Be sure that when you speak, you address
person stating them.
 Keep an open mind and move to the other side or the
undecided section if you feel that someone made a good
argument or your opinion is swayed.
 Support the mediator by maintaining order and by NOT
dominating the Philosophical Chairs debate.
Philosophical Chair