Principal Sponsors
Makes grants to address the most serious social and environmental problems facing society, where risk capital, responsibly invested, may make a difference over time.
National Science Foundation
An independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science.
King Saud University seeks to become a leader in educational and technological innovation, scientific discovery and creativity through fostering an atmosphere of intellectual inspiration and partnership for the prosperity of society.
The O'Donnell Foundation is devoted to building model programs to enhance the quality of education.
Nuclear Fission
Start a chain reaction, or introduce non-radioactive isotopes to prevent one. Control energy production in a nuclear reactor! (Previously part of the Nuclear Physics simulation - now there are separate Alpha Decay and Nuclear Fission sims.)
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Teaching Resources
Main Topics
- Fission
- Chain Reaction
- Atomic Nuclei
Sample Learning Goals
- Describe how a neutron can give energy to a nucleus and cause it to fission.
- Explain the byproducts of a fission event.
- Explain how a chain reaction works, and describe the requirements for a sustained chain reaction large enough to make a bomb.
- Explain how a nuclear reactor works and how control rods can be used to slow down the reaction.
Tips for Teachers
The teacher's guide (pdf) contains tips created by the PhET team.
Teaching Ideas
| Title | Authors | Level | Type | Updated |
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Nuclear Fission Inquiry
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Stephanie Chasteen | HS | Lab | 12/16/10 |
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Nuclear Processes
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Phil Cook | HS | Lab | 5/2/10 |
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Phet Nuclear Fission Simulation Lab
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Drew Isola | MS HS |
Lab | 3/21/10 |
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Visualization and Visual Illusions SIM Homework
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Kathy Perkins, Carl Wieman | UG-Intro | HW | 1/9/11 |
| Instructor | Clarence Canty | Other | Lab CQs |
8/19/10 |
| Nuclear Fission Simulation | Mark Blaisdell | HS | Lab | 12/1/09 |
| Radioactive Decay, Fission and Chain Reactions | Debra Krause Dandaneau | HS UG-Intro |
Other Lab |
4/17/09 |
| Exploring Fission (inquiry) | K. Gates | HS MS |
Lab | 2/10/09 |
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Nuclear Physics Simulation Homework
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Kathy Perkins, Carl Wieman | UG-Intro HS |
HW | 1/8/11 |
| Exploring Nuclear Energy | Traci Radil | HS | Lab | 10/9/08 |
| 핵분열 SIM 사용지침서 | 이화국(Wha Kuk Lee) | MS HS |
Lab Demo |
5/19/13 |
You can submit your own ideas and activities.
Related Simulations
Translated Versions:
Software Requirements
| Windows | Macintosh | Linux |
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Microsoft Windows
XP/Vista/7 Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later |
OS 10.5 or later
Sun Java 1.5.0_19 or later |
Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later |
Credits
| Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
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