1. Read the Instructions

Empty the container so only one red “starter atom” bead and one green bead are in it. Head’s up! All group members will work together quickly.

Here are the Jobs:

The Timer begins timing and will watch for 10 seconds to pass then pause the stopwatch and call out “10 seconds”. When the timer calls out the time, everyone freezes!

When the Timer begins timing, the Shaker should slowly begin to shake the container with one “starter atom” red bead and one green bead.

Once the red bead hits the green bead, the Multiplier(s) adds three green beads. Keep shaking and adding beads until the Timer calls out “10 seconds!”

When the Timer calls out “10 seconds”, the Shaker and Multiplier(s) must freeze and complete the table below. Continue for 20 seconds and 30 seconds intervals.

2. Start the Activity

You are recording how many green beads will be added for each round. The activity flow is:
1. Write a prediction (how many green beads will need to be added for the 10 second round?)
2. Conduct Round 1 for 10 seconds and record results.
3. Write a prediction for 20 seconds.
4. Conduct Round 2 for 20 seconds and record results.
5. Write a prediction for 30 seconds.
6. Conduct Round 3 for 30 seconds and record results.

3. Answer the questions.

A. What is fission? Use these key words in your definition:

B. What would happen if you shook the box harder and faster?

4. Repeat the Activity

Repeat the steps from Phase 1, but this time shake the box harder and faster to test your hypothesis.
Be careful not to shake too hard or the beads may jump out!

5. Conclusion Questions

C. What would happen if you shook the box for one minute?

D. What do the green beads represent?

E. What would happen in real life if uranium atoms continued to collide without being controlled?