Binding blocks: Building the Universe one nucleus at a time

C. Aa Diget; A. Pastore; K. Leech; T. Haylett; S. Lock; T. Sanders; M. Shelley; H. V. Willett; J. Keegans; L. Sinclair; E. C. Simpson; The Binding Blocks Collaboration

doi:10.1088/1361-6552/aa550c

Binding blocks: Building the Universe one nucleus at a time

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

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We present a new teaching and outreach activity based around the construction of a three-dimensional chart of isotopes using LEGO^® bricks⁵. 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.

Original language	English
Article number	024001
Journal	Physics Education
Volume	52
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6552/aa550c
Publication status	Published - Mar 2017

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title = "Binding blocks: Building the Universe one nucleus at a time",

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T2 - Building the Universe one nucleus at a time

AU - Diget, C. Aa

AU - Pastore, A.

AU - Leech, K.

AU - Haylett, T.

AU - Lock, S.

AU - Sanders, T.

AU - Shelley, M.

AU - Willett, H. V.

AU - Keegans, J.

AU - Sinclair, L.

AU - Simpson, E. C.

AU - Binding Blocks Collaboration, The

PY - 2017/3

Y1 - 2017/3

N2 - We present a new teaching and outreach activity based around the construction of a three-dimensional chart of isotopes using LEGO® bricks5. 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.

AB - We present a new teaching and outreach activity based around the construction of a three-dimensional chart of isotopes using LEGO® bricks5. 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.

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DO - 10.1088/1361-6552/aa550c

M3 - Article

SN - 0031-9120

VL - 52

JO - Physics Education

JF - Physics Education

IS - 2

M1 - 024001

ER -

Binding blocks: Building the Universe one nucleus at a time

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