Activity Overview
The radiation we receive from the Sun is caused by the energy released during nuclear reactions in the star. The Sun’s main nuclear fuel is hydrogen nuclei (a proton), which are fused together to produce helium nuclei (two protons and two neutrons). In this activity, students will create a diagram that shows how hydrogen nuclei fuse together to produce helium nuclei and energy.
During the first stage in the process, two protons fuse together to form a proton and neutron pair, known as Hydrogen-2, or deuterium. This releases a neutrino and a positron. Another proton fuses to the deuterium nucleus, creating a double proton, neutron triplet, known as Helium-3, which also releases a positron. When one Helium-3 nucleus fuses with another Helium-3 nucleus, a Helium (He-4) nucleus is formed, releasing two protons. At each stage of this reaction, energy is released.
All the elements up to iron (Fe) are created during fusion reactions in stars. Elements heavier than iron are created in supernova explosions in a reaction called neutron capture reactions.
To challenge more advanced students, have them think about why neutrinos and positrons are released at each stage. For students who need support, cut up the completed example storyboard and have them put the pieces together in the correct order. Another idea is to have your students make different descriptive visualizations of different fusion reactions, such as the fusion of helium nuclei to make carbon nuclei.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard to show how hydrogen nuclei are fused together to produce helium nuclei and energy. This is a very important nuclear reaction that happens inside stars like the Sun.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Use a range of shapes, arrows, and textables to describe how hydrogen nuclei can fuse together to form a helium nucleus.
- Make sure to show the nuclear products and reactants at each stage. Include a key to aid understanding of your illustration.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 13 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
---|---|---|---|
Stages | All the stages in the fusion reaction have been identified and put in the correct order. | Most of the stages in the fusion reaction have been identified and and most are in the correct order. | Some of the stages in the fusion reaction have been identified and and some are in the correct order. |
Illustration | Every stage has a correct and descriptive image. | Most stages have a correct and descriptive image. | Some stages have a correct and descriptive image. |
Key | There is a clear key which aids the understanding | There is a key but it is muddled. | There is no key. |
Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
The radiation we receive from the Sun is caused by the energy released during nuclear reactions in the star. The Sun’s main nuclear fuel is hydrogen nuclei (a proton), which are fused together to produce helium nuclei (two protons and two neutrons). In this activity, students will create a diagram that shows how hydrogen nuclei fuse together to produce helium nuclei and energy.
During the first stage in the process, two protons fuse together to form a proton and neutron pair, known as Hydrogen-2, or deuterium. This releases a neutrino and a positron. Another proton fuses to the deuterium nucleus, creating a double proton, neutron triplet, known as Helium-3, which also releases a positron. When one Helium-3 nucleus fuses with another Helium-3 nucleus, a Helium (He-4) nucleus is formed, releasing two protons. At each stage of this reaction, energy is released.
All the elements up to iron (Fe) are created during fusion reactions in stars. Elements heavier than iron are created in supernova explosions in a reaction called neutron capture reactions.
To challenge more advanced students, have them think about why neutrinos and positrons are released at each stage. For students who need support, cut up the completed example storyboard and have them put the pieces together in the correct order. Another idea is to have your students make different descriptive visualizations of different fusion reactions, such as the fusion of helium nuclei to make carbon nuclei.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard to show how hydrogen nuclei are fused together to produce helium nuclei and energy. This is a very important nuclear reaction that happens inside stars like the Sun.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Use a range of shapes, arrows, and textables to describe how hydrogen nuclei can fuse together to form a helium nucleus.
- Make sure to show the nuclear products and reactants at each stage. Include a key to aid understanding of your illustration.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 13 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
---|---|---|---|
Stages | All the stages in the fusion reaction have been identified and put in the correct order. | Most of the stages in the fusion reaction have been identified and and most are in the correct order. | Some of the stages in the fusion reaction have been identified and and some are in the correct order. |
Illustration | Every stage has a correct and descriptive image. | Most stages have a correct and descriptive image. | Some stages have a correct and descriptive image. |
Key | There is a clear key which aids the understanding | There is a key but it is muddled. | There is no key. |
Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
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