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Binding blocks: building the Universe one nucleus at a time

2017; IOP Publishing; Volume: 52; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1088/1361-6552/aa550c

1361-6552

C. Aa. Diget, A. Pastore, K Leech, T. Haylett, Sarah C. L. Lock, T.E. Sanders, Matthew Shelley, H.V. Willett, J Keegans, L. Sinclair, E. C. Simpson, the Binding Blocks Collaboration,

Nuclear Physics and Applications

We present a new teaching and outreach activity based around the construction of a three-dimensional chart of isotopes using LEGO bricks ‡.The activity, Binding Blocks, demonstrates nuclear and astrophysical processes through a seven-meter chart of all nuclear isotopes, built from over 26,000 LEGO bricks.It integrates A-level and GCSE curricula across areas of nuclear physics, astrophysics, and chemistry, including: nuclear decays (through the colours in the chart); nuclear binding energy (through tower heights); production of chemical elements in the cosmos; fusion processes in stars and fusion energy on Earth; as well as links to medical physics, particularly diagnostics and radiotherapy.