Radioactivity: Expect the unexpected - Steve Weatherall

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Neutrons don’t change into protons. Except, sometimes, they do. Radioactivity is the process under which the nucleus can change spontaneously from one element to another. Steve Weatherell suggests that we acknowledge both the usefulness and danger inherent in harvesting radioactivity.


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  • Animator Eugene Uymatiao
  • Educator Steve Weatherell
  • Narrator Steve Weatherell
Additional Resources for you to Explore
The Voyager spacecraft uses radioactive elements for power. Research where it presently is, how the batteries work, and when they will probably run out. http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/
What happened at Fukushima in March 2011? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12726591
Listen to this AstronomyCast podcast: http://www.astronomycast.com/2012/06/ep-263-radioactive-decay/
On YouTube, there are many related videos from excellent channels:
Sixty Symbols
Veritasium
Engineer Guy

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Animator Eugene Uymatiao
  • Educator Steve Weatherell
  • Narrator Steve Weatherell

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