Click here for a crossword to help with your revision for the first part of the assessment.
If you want to leave a comment post as anonymous.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Half Life Simulation
Clicking on the title bar above will take you to a Java Applet which simulates radioactive decay. The simulation gives a good idea of what is happening.
- What is meant by the term 'half life'?
- Choose any 5 of the examples and watch the applet and state the their half life.
- Can the number of radioactive atoms ever reach zero?
- What do think the term 'daughter nuclide' means?
- What happens to the total number of atoms in the sample?
Medical Physics Site
Here is a link to a site which explains radiotherapy as well as other treatments. The simulations are pretty good. Obviously it is not in the assessment but if you need a break and want to see how radiotherapy works click this link.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Half Life Simulation
The simulation we used was from Explorelearning. You can use each Gizmo for 5 minutes before it 'times out'. If you want to use them for longer register for a months free trial.
To find the one we used type half life in the 'search' then 'launch gizmo'. Enjoy!
To find the one we used type half life in the 'search' then 'launch gizmo'. Enjoy!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Lesson on Atomic Stucture
Here is another lesson on the structure of the atom. Clicking on the title will also take you there.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Brilliant Website - S-Cool
The S-Cool website cover virtually all of Introducing Radioactivity and just the right level. The website has lots of good physics material but you only need the know the material linked from here. To go to the radioactivity section either click here or on the title bar above.
Access to Nursing - Welcome to Physics
When you signed up for Access to Nursing I bet you did not think you would end up doing physics!
Don't worry - you will only be doing two half units in physics.
The first is Introducing to Radioactivity and the second is Science Practical Skills.
Introducing Radioactivity
In nursing you could be working with people who are undergoing treatments which involve using ionising radiation. They will be scared, apprehensive and won't understand all the big words they will hear. At the moment you might feel the same but by the end of the course you will have the vocabulary and enough knowledge to sound as if you know something about it.
The unit has one (small) section which is not relevant to nursing but it is part of the unit and you will have to do it. There is a section on Nuclear Power Stations. It will be useful in the coming months as the politicians argue about whether we should continue with nuclear power or not. When you are in the pub you will be able to argue the case for or against with facts not emotions.
Science Practical Skills
In this unit you will do about 6 experiments and write them up. You will learn how to read meters, take measurements, do calculations and draw graphs of the data you have collected. You will learn the importance of writing units. It is particularly important for nurses and other health professionals.
Every now and then the media reports on mistakes. Click here to go to such a report.
Here is another tragic case.
Don't worry - you will only be doing two half units in physics.
The first is Introducing to Radioactivity and the second is Science Practical Skills.
Introducing Radioactivity
In nursing you could be working with people who are undergoing treatments which involve using ionising radiation. They will be scared, apprehensive and won't understand all the big words they will hear. At the moment you might feel the same but by the end of the course you will have the vocabulary and enough knowledge to sound as if you know something about it.
The unit has one (small) section which is not relevant to nursing but it is part of the unit and you will have to do it. There is a section on Nuclear Power Stations. It will be useful in the coming months as the politicians argue about whether we should continue with nuclear power or not. When you are in the pub you will be able to argue the case for or against with facts not emotions.
Science Practical Skills
In this unit you will do about 6 experiments and write them up. You will learn how to read meters, take measurements, do calculations and draw graphs of the data you have collected. You will learn the importance of writing units. It is particularly important for nurses and other health professionals.
Every now and then the media reports on mistakes. Click here to go to such a report.
Here is another tragic case.
Dangers of Radiation
Have you read this section and done the quiz at the end?
What is meant by the term ionisation? Which radiation causes most ionisation?
What is meant by the term ionisation? Which radiation causes most ionisation?
Cancer Patient Overdose
This is a link to BBC report of the death of Lisa Norris,the teenager who was given an overdose of radiation in the Beatson Oncology Clinic.
Sadly, the teenager has since died.
For the BBC report click here.
Sadly, the teenager has since died.
For the BBC report click here.
Health Effects of Radiation
The BBC website has a nice summary with a test-bite at the end. Here is the link. It does not mention Activity or Dose so this will need to be done later.
BBC Bytesize
This one of the best sites on the web. At the end of the radioactivity revision there is a short test. Give it a try.
It is for Standard Grade which is not the same syllabus but most of the material is the same.
BBC Bytesize - Radioactivity
The photo is of Marie Curie. If you have a spare moment do a Google Search to find her biography.
Numeracy for Nursing
I was asked if there were any websites which would help with numeracy. There are loads but clicking on the title above will take you to a numeracy site for nurses.
In the links at the side I have included the link to the BBC Skillwise site. It is useful for filling in any gaps in your knowledge. There are quizes to test your knowledge - always do the level C. If you come across something you cannot do print out the worksheet and ask for help.
In the links at the side I have included the link to the BBC Skillwise site. It is useful for filling in any gaps in your knowledge. There are quizes to test your knowledge - always do the level C. If you come across something you cannot do print out the worksheet and ask for help.
