mmething new from the pwt Radioactivity "Discovery of Radioactivity," Arthur F. Scott, Chemistry, 31 (Mav 1974). In the Readers Forum Column is a brief history of the discovery of radioactivity. It is enough ta whet the appetite for further readings. The next article that I will cite is a eood examnle. It can he found in " the same issue of Chemistry. "Great M o m e n t s i n Chemistry," Ferenc Szabadvary, (Translated b y Ralph E. Oesper), Chemistry, 19 (May 1974). This article is written in the form of a dialogue (play). The "reporter" interviews a chemistry professor about the dawning of the nuclear age. The professor replies with voices from the past-Lord Rayleigh, Schroedinger, Marie Curie, Becquerel, Rutherford, Ramsay, Meitner, Hahn, Sachs, and others. "Radioactivity: Henri Becquerel," T h e F l a s h of Genius, 8, Alfred B. Garrett, J. CHEM. EDUC., 39 [lo] 5 3 3 6 3 4 (October 1962). How does Becquerel's study of phosphorescent substances lead to the discovery of radioactivity? Continuing the point(s) I made ahove about whetting appetites for more information, Garrett describes in Becquerel's own words the actual experiments that he, Becquerel, had done. For you readers who want a beautiful example of reading about serendipity, i.e., "Chance fauors the prepared mind," read what happened during some cloudy days in France in 1896. Then learn how Madam Curie fits into the story. As Garrett says, "Her discouery is still another story." T h e concept of t h e half-life of radioactivity is perhaps t h e most well known a n d least u n d e r s t w d b y t h e populous a t large. Almost every quality textbook t h a t is used t o introduce nuclear radiation into beginning science courses h a s a n experiment dealing with t h e half-life of a radioisotope. Because exposure t o radiation can b e dangerous, t h e inexoerienced teacher should consult with exoerts before attempting classwork with radiuactive nuclides. However, the ideas of half-life can be taueht throueh simulation "hands-nn" experiments. I shall cite tgree suchyab activities here.
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"Simulating Radioactive Decay with Dice," Ludwick Kowalski, T h e Physics Teacher, 113 (February 1981). "Throwing Dice i n t h e Classroom," J o h n L. Roeder, T h e Physics Teacher, 428-429 (October 1977). "Half-Life Analog Using Sugar Cubes," Raymond A. Castillo a n d Roger W. Ward, T h e Science Teacher, 83-84 (October 1968). "Radioisotopes," Grafton Chase, The Science Teacher, 31[1], 31-33 ( F e b r u a j 1964). One of the first institutions to recognize the need for knowledge in nuclear radiation education for teachers of beeinning chemistry was the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and ~ & n c e . ~ r a f t uchase, n whose text became a standard for use at the time, outlines the general topics of importance in the basic program. The topics listed are still viahle in today's times of concern for nuclear education. High school chemistry teachers who would like to plan all or part of a curriculum in nuclear topics will find Chase's materials useful. "Radiation Safety," Roger J. Cloutier, T h e Science Teacher, 30 1 .81. 35-38 (December 1963). The interest in radiation safety as part of the curriculum involving radioactive isotopes is again very high. Cloutier says that "the.. .
528
Journal of Chemical Education
Edited by: JOSEPH S. SCHMUCKLER Chairman of Science Education Temple University 345 Ritter Hall Philadelphia. PA 19122
teacher is called upon to give authoritative information on avariety of phases of radiation and its potential hazards and control. This paper contains much information that will he useful in the introduction of radioisotopes into a high school course, and also in giving students and teachers background so that they may be familiar with the hazards that may occur when larger quantities of radiation are present." It should he interesting for the user of this article to compare the allowable doses given in 1963 with those of today. It can help to make wme gaod teaching about this mast important topic-radiation safety. "Teaching Mass-Energy Equivalence," 1.awrence
S.Fuster,
.I. (:HEM. EDUC... 33 ... 161. JW-301 { J u n e 19561. The author says that "the problem of introducing nuclear physics into elementary courses in chemistry has arisen because of the impossibility of avoiding such topics as radioactivity.. . . It is the purpose of this article to show how the concept of mass-energy equivalence may be introduced while retaining a chemical tinge to the subject. The meaning of the Einstein equation E = mc2 might seem to be beyond the scope of the elementary chemistry course, particularly in the secondary school, but one cannot dodge its implications. Fortunately, with onlv a slieht extension of the knowledee the student alreadv p(,i>eisrs,it 13 nglt diit~zulrI
