Name: ___________________________________ Period: _________
Date:_________
Nuclear Chemistry Project
In order to have a basic understanding of nuclear chemistry, you will be completing
a group project (one other person). This project counts as two test grades. One grade
comes from the presentation, while the other comes from the research paper you turn in.
There are many applications of nuclear chemistry both today and in our history. A
small list of radiation applications is shown below:
•
•
•
•
•
Medicine
o Diagnosis
MRI
Stress Tests
X-rays
o Cancer Treatment
Reactors
o Fission
o Fusion
Weapons
Consumer Products
o Food Irradiation
o Make-up Sterilization
o Smoke Detectors
o Insect Control
o Reflective Signs
o Food Production in Agriculture
Other analysis
o NMR
o Radioactive Dating
o Finding Oil Deposits
o Neutron Activation Analysis
o Radioactive Tracers
You will need to pick one of the above topics, or come up with your own with
approval from me. The goal of your project is to decide whether the world should continue
using or stop using a given radioactive application. For example, you can make the
argument that we should stop using nuclear fission reactors because of a good, researched
proven reason and then give
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a viable alternative. If you think that we should continue to use that technology, you need
to give a good, researched argument for continued usage. You need to back your argument
with creditable resources (NO Wikipedia) and include some visual component
(PowerPoint, brochure, poster, song you create, etc). You may use Wikipedia for
deciding on which topic to pursue, but you cannot use it as a source.
In addition to the main criteria listed above, your presentation must also include:

The history of that technology

The scientist(s) involved

The type of radiation emitted (alpha, beta, or gamma)

The corresponding balanced nuclear equation

The main isotope used in that technology

The number of protons and neutrons in that isotope

You must also include how safe the technology is

Give the pros and cons of continuing to use the technology

You must state how this technology would impact your community if it was
to be continued.
Your presentation must last 3-5 minutes in front of the class and everyone in the group
must speak. The rubric for grading is attached. This is the rubric for the presentation and
information within the presentation only. Remember, this project is worth 2 test grades.
One grade will be based off of the presentation, the other from the research paper. I WILL
be looking for plagiarism! Your research paper needs to be sent to me via Google docs in
APA format style. If you do not understand how to do APA style format for a research
paper,
I
suggest
you
go
to
the
following
link:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
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Names: ____________________________________________________ Period: _________
Grading Rubric
Criterion
Points Earned
Person 1
Person 2
Points Possible
History of the technology
5
Scientist(s) involved
4
Purpose of the technology
3
Pros of the technology (>3)
4
Cons of the technology (>2)
4
Type of radiation
3
Balanced nuclear equation
4
Isotope written in proper format
3
# of protons and neutrons
4
Safety of the technology
5
Stated if for or against technology
4
>3 credible sources
3
Presentation was interesting/unique
5
Presentation was creative
5
Presentation lasted 3-5 minutes
5
Everyone in group spoke
4
Included a visual aspect
5
Paid attention to others’ presentations
5
Self and Peer Evaluation
10
Project Grade:
/85
Research Paper grade:
/100
Total (2 Test grades)
_________________/185
5
Self and Peer Evaluation
Name: _____________________________ Partner’s Name: _____________________________
Rate yourself and your peer from 0 – 2 on the following topics: (0 being rarely/never, 1 being
sometimes, and 2 being all/most of the time)
Dimension
Self-Rating Peer Rating
Did fair share of work
Was cooperative
Was dependable
Contributed to project
Was valuable
Total:
/10
/10
Other comments:
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