Binding blocks: building the Universe one nucleus at a time

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

Abstract

We present a new teaching and outreach activity based around the construction of a three-dimensional chart of isotopes using $\text{LEG}{{\text{O}}^{\circledR}}$ bricks5. The activity, binding blocks, demonstrates nuclear and astrophysical processes through a seven-meter chart of all nuclear isotopes, built from over 26 000 $\text{LEG}{{\text{O}}^{\circledR}}$ 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.

Citation

Diget, C. A., Pastore, A., Leech, K., Haylett, T., Lock, S., Sanders, T., …Collaboration, T. B. B. (2017). Binding blocks: building the Universe one nucleus at a time. Physics Education, 52(2), 024001. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6552/aa550c

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 21, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Feb 13, 2017
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Deposit Date: Jun 14, 2023
• Journal: Physics Education
• Print ISSN: 0031-9120
• Electronic ISSN: 1361-6552
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 52
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 024001
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6552/aa550c
• Keywords: General Physics and Astronomy; Education
• Additional Information: Journal title: Physics Education; Article type: paper; Article title: Binding blocks: building the Universe one nucleus at a time; Copyright information: © 2017 IOP Publishing Ltd; Date received: 2016-10-17; Date accepted: 2016-12-21; Online publication date: 2017-02-13