Module 8

1. Module 8

Introduction

Module 8—Nuclear Decay, Energy, and the Standard Model of the Atom

Module Introduction

In this module you will explore the nuclear world all the way down to the quarks that compose protons and neutrons. You will begin this journey at the edge of the nucleus by first understanding its composition and the forces that keep it together, as well as the energy that is associated with its decay and stability. These processes are applied in ionizing smoke detectors and radiometric dating.

Fission and fusion will be compared and contrasted in terms of changes to the number and type of nucleons that compose both parent and daughter material. They will also be described in terms of the large amount of energy associated with both reactions.

Next you will see how it is possible to probe the subatomic world in search of the fundamental particles that make up all of the subatomic particles, such as the proton and neutron. You will see how these investigations into antimatter, mediating particles, and quarks continue to inform the standard model, which describes current theory and models about the relationship between the fundamental forces and mediating particles. Your exploration will end, however, before the finish line as technology, theory, and model continue to evolve with new insight and evidence still being gathered in highly energetic laboratories around the world.

Specifically, you will be asked to apply your knowledge to answer the following questions:

What is our current understanding of the atom?
How do models, such as the standard model, evolve as new evidence and technology are applied at the atomic and subatomic levels?