Pre-16
Nuclear Masterclass
Welcome to the Nuclear Masterclass!
In this masterclass, you will find out more about cutting-edge research in Nuclear Physics and applications of nuclear technologies with experts from around the world.
In order to gain a certificate, you can work through the content at your own pace, but must complete all four modules below by Sunday 21 April 2024. Each module includes a mixture of written content, videos, activities and questions. To complete each module, work through the activities and Isaac Physics questions outlined in the 'Course Requirements' at the top of each module page and highlighted in orange throughout the page.
If you need help or have questions, use the Question Forum. You can ask questions at any time and these will be answered live from 4pm-5pm on weekdays.
There are also weekly live webinars, which are a fantastic opportunity to find out more about current research. Find out more about the webinars. A link to join the webinars will be emailed to you on the Monday before each webinar. If you don't receive this, please contact physics-bindingblocks@york.ac.uk.
In week 1, we investigate the scale of the Universe - from galaxies down to the smallest particles. We zoom in on the atom and find out about the experiments that have revealed both atomic and nuclear structure - from historic experiments through to current particle accelerators.
In our second week, we explore radiation. We investigate how and why nuclei decay and the different types of radiation released. We discover the potential hazards of radiation and how these can be managed to safely use radiation in a range of applications. We delve into some of the maths of radioactive decay and have a go at modelling it in an edible experiment using sweets!
In week 3, we look at how nuclear physics can be used for power generation. We analyse the UK's use of energy resources before finding out more about the use of fission in nuclear power stations. We then explore the cutting-edge research into fusion energy - making mini-Suns here on Earth - and tour some of the world-class research facilities that may make clean energy for the future a possibility.
In our final week, we explore the applications of nuclear physics in medicine. We discover how radiation is used for taking images of different parts of the body, and for treating diseases such as cancer. We find out what the role of a medical physicist involves and investigate the effectiveness of different treatments using an online simulation.