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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