Binding Blocks: building the Universe one nucleus at the time

Abstract

We present a new teaching and outreach activity based around the construction of a three-dimensional chart of isotopes using LEGO${}^{\circledR }$ bricks. The activity, \emph{Binding Blocks}, demonstrates nuclear and astrophysical processes through a seven-meter chart of all nuclear isotopes, built from over 26,000 LEGO${}^{\circledR }$ 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.

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Cited by in corpus (4)

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