The Task
My group, James, Wesley, and I, was assigned the task of creating an energy transfer device in order to better understand thermodynamics and energy transfer. My group decided to take the project in a slightly different direction by doing more research and less building. We decided to study nuclear energy for the project. Beforehand, we created lemon and potato batteries to gain an understanding of energy transfer.
The Final Product
The project was divided into three sections: history (Wesley), pros and cons (James), and science (me). The history section covers the history of nuclear energy and general atomic history. The pros and cons section covers the benefits and risks of nuclear power plants to society. Lastly, the science section talks about how nuclear energy actually works and the components and elements used in the reaction and power plants.
Important Concepts
Laws of Thermodynamics - The Laws of Thermodynamics dictate how energy and energy transfer works in the universe. These laws were a basis of the project.
Zeroth - The zeroth law applies the transitive property to thermodynamic systems. If two thermodynamic systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, then the two other systems are in thermal equilibrium with each other. In essence, if A = C and B = C, then A = B.
First - The first law is the Law of Conservation of Energy. It states that energy is neither created nor destroyed, only converted. For instance, turning on a light bulb converts electrical energy to light energy.
Second - The second law states that the entropy of any isolated system always increases. Entropy is the chaos and randomness of a system. For example, gas atoms that are initially compressed and then released into a system will begin to disperse. This dispersion and chaos is entropy.
Third - The third law states that the entropy of a system approaches a constant value as the temperature approaches absolute zero (0 kelvin). This value is typically 0.
Nuclear Fusion - Nuclear fusion involves the fusion of two atomic nuclei from high heat and high pressure. This generates a significant amount of energy and only occurs in high pressure environments such as stars.
Nuclear Fission - Nuclear fission involves the splitting of an atomic nucleus from a reaction. This kinds of reaction produces a lot of energy and is used in nuclear power plants.
U-235 - U-235 is the isotope of uranium used in nuclear power plants. It consists of less than 1% of uranium in the world. When a neutron strikes a U-235 atom, it splits into fission products and 2 or 3 extra neutrons. The extra neutrons start a chain reaction that generates more and more energy.
Zeroth - The zeroth law applies the transitive property to thermodynamic systems. If two thermodynamic systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, then the two other systems are in thermal equilibrium with each other. In essence, if A = C and B = C, then A = B.
First - The first law is the Law of Conservation of Energy. It states that energy is neither created nor destroyed, only converted. For instance, turning on a light bulb converts electrical energy to light energy.
Second - The second law states that the entropy of any isolated system always increases. Entropy is the chaos and randomness of a system. For example, gas atoms that are initially compressed and then released into a system will begin to disperse. This dispersion and chaos is entropy.
Third - The third law states that the entropy of a system approaches a constant value as the temperature approaches absolute zero (0 kelvin). This value is typically 0.
Nuclear Fusion - Nuclear fusion involves the fusion of two atomic nuclei from high heat and high pressure. This generates a significant amount of energy and only occurs in high pressure environments such as stars.
Nuclear Fission - Nuclear fission involves the splitting of an atomic nucleus from a reaction. This kinds of reaction produces a lot of energy and is used in nuclear power plants.
U-235 - U-235 is the isotope of uranium used in nuclear power plants. It consists of less than 1% of uranium in the world. When a neutron strikes a U-235 atom, it splits into fission products and 2 or 3 extra neutrons. The extra neutrons start a chain reaction that generates more and more energy.
Reflection
This project occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, so we were severely limited in terms of options for the project. We couldn't meet up in person either, so nothing physical could really be made. Despite this, my group managed to improvise, communicate well, and craft a successful research project that earned a high grade with a lot of collaboration. One of the group's strengths was adapting to the situation. In order to be more efficient, the group decided to be more researched based. This significantly helped our situation because we wouldn't need to gather materials which would've been slowed down by the lack stores. Furthermore, we were able to divide the research into sections we were interested in. Another strength was my actual research. I worked on the science section of the project. However, it quickly expanded to incorporate how nuclear power plants gather their uranium and the transfer of energy. The sudden expansion of the science section was surprising, but I was able to handle it. I also added pictures. My work on the science section required a lot of critical thinking and added a lot to the project.
I also lacked in certain areas of the project. One weakness was my actual time spent on the project. Although I did work hard, I could've worked much harder. There was definitely a lot more that I could've added to the project, and I didn't invest as much time as I could've to the project. Another weakness I had was the actual uniqueness of the project. Although quarantine limited our abilities, we still could've performed physical tasks involving energy transfer. There wasn't much character to the project. We did do a lemon/potato battery, but we didn't go further with it. Overall, I didn't spend enough time brainstorming for the project and working on the project. I was not a very conscientious learner.
This was my final STEM project of junior year. Unfortunately, it was hurt by the lockdown, but safety is important. Adapting to online learning was a foreign concept and culture that we had to become competent with. I had fun doing this project and feel like it was a good way to end off my junior year. Senior year is going to be fun!
I also lacked in certain areas of the project. One weakness was my actual time spent on the project. Although I did work hard, I could've worked much harder. There was definitely a lot more that I could've added to the project, and I didn't invest as much time as I could've to the project. Another weakness I had was the actual uniqueness of the project. Although quarantine limited our abilities, we still could've performed physical tasks involving energy transfer. There wasn't much character to the project. We did do a lemon/potato battery, but we didn't go further with it. Overall, I didn't spend enough time brainstorming for the project and working on the project. I was not a very conscientious learner.
This was my final STEM project of junior year. Unfortunately, it was hurt by the lockdown, but safety is important. Adapting to online learning was a foreign concept and culture that we had to become competent with. I had fun doing this project and feel like it was a good way to end off my junior year. Senior year is going to be fun!