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One of the more challenging standards for the nuclear physics topic in my IB Physics class is calculating the binding energy per nucleon based on the mass defect of a nuclide. I've done by best to help walk students through the concepts in the second lesson of my Atomic Physics Unit but this is one concept that you really need an opportunity to try it for yourself :) To help my class with this focused practice, I put together 30 self-checking examples for them to crowdsource and create a "Binding Energy per Nucleon vs Mass Number" scatterplot that we can reference later during our discussion of fusion vs fission. The DataThe first task in assembling this activity was putting together a valid database for nucleus masses of different element isotopes. I wanted a good range of masses to be able to see the characteristic shape of the "Binding Energy per Nucleon" graph so I came up with this list of 30 examples. I put this together several years ago, and I honestly don't remember where I assembled this data from originally 
I give all students access to this database of masses and assign individuals or groups to different portions of this list so that there is no overlap within the class. I have also done this in pairs where each group of two starts with one and then I keep giving them new assignments as they complete their element. Automatic FeedbackThe feature that makes this activity powerful is once students have calculated the binding energy per nucleon for their assigned element, they enter their value in a google sheet that provides instant feedback. If their answer is within 5% of the actual value (stored on a hidden sheet) the cell to the right of their answer will turn green and display "Y" for "yes". If their answer is outside of the range, they will see a red "N" for "no". Since there are so many different ways that this calculation can go off the rails, this built in feedback prompts students to revisit their work and/or get extra support from a classmate or teacher. When I run this activity, I make a copy of the google sheet for each of my classes and I provide my students with a link to the document so they are all updating the same communal "answer sheet". If you don't have access to 1:1 technology, I have also done this activity by having students enter their answer in at my computer in the front of the room.
Click below to make a copy of this google sheet with the instant feedback pre-programmed in ⬇ In addition to providing feedback on their answers, the google sheet also creates a graph of the Binding Energy per Nucleon vs the Mass Number in real time as the data is entered in.  When it's all said and done, the data from this activity can be assembled to make the graph below. I save this and return to it once we start talking about fission/fusion. :)  Files
Click for more Atomic Physics resources ⬇
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Joe CossetteFather, Physics Teacher, Knowles Fellow, Friend, Techie, and Musician Blog Posts |
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