Radioactivity Links
Nuclear power is an important source of energy. It is nearly unlimited, and does not add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. However, radioactive nuclear waste and the risk of an accident make this energy source potentially dangerous. Hopefully, a nuclear accident will be a rare event at Planet Diary. In the meantime, we will cover the efforts to regulate this tremendous source of power.
Try this Planet Diary Radioactivity Activity:
- Radiation and You
Learn about the various natural and man-made sources of radiation in the environment. You will also calculate your own annual dosage of radiation.
EPA Radiation Site
The Environmental Protection Agency is a great place to look for information about radiation in the environment as well as radiation protection.
Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster
Get all the facts about the Chernobyl disaster of 1986.
Radiation Calculator
This EPA page lets you calculate your exposure to radiation in the environment.
Radiation Reassessed
A kid-friendly exploration of the not-so-friendly topic of radiation from The Why Files. Learn more about the effects of the atomic bomb in Japan and of the Chernobyl reactor meltdown. This site comes with helpful radiation facts and a dictionary for hard-to-understand terms.
Nuclear Age Timeline
A detailed history of nuclear research from the 1940s to the present year.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Find information about nuclear reactors, nuclear materials, radioactive waste, and radiation protection at this government Web site.
The Energy Science Virtual Library
This branch of the Department of Energy has many resources on energy production and use.
Office of Waste Management
What is the Department of Energy doing about waste treatment, storage, and disposal? Read about their plans and current policies at this Web site.
Radiation Protection Division of the EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency is concerned about radiation risks, clean-up, and emergency response.
Nuclear Energy
Get comprehensive info on the ins and outs of nuclear energy from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The Particle Adventure
A must-see if you are studying the atom and radioactivity! Every page is illustrated with a cartoon, and the explanations make ample use of analogy and humor. The tutorial also has animations of certain concepts. Particle Adventure was created by the Contemporary Physics Education Project and is hosted by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Radioactive Decay Model
Do you have a hundred pennies? Then you have all you need to demonstrate the concept of half life. Try this activity from The Exploratorium.
