Join the Department of Physics at the Unviversity of York for a Nuclear Masterclass: open to all students studying A level Physics (or equivalent).

There will be two different streams running during the day:

A: Nuclear Astrophysics

Workshop 1: The Hot CNO Cycle in Supernovae

Discover the nuclear reactions happening in stars during stellar explosions in an activity demonstrating half-lives and the random nature of radioactive decay.

Workshop 2: Neutron Stars and Fundamental Forces

Investigate a computer simulation of the liquid drop model of neutron stars and learn about the influence of the fundamental forces at the nuclear scale.

Workshop 3/4: Binding Blocks: Building the Universe one Nucleaus at a Time

Explore the concept and applications of binding energy through building a LEGO nuclear chart. Follow nuclear decay chains and research the uses of different isotopes.

B: Applications of Nuclear Physics

Workshop 1: Advanced gamma detection for nuclear experiments and applications

Utilise advanced gamma detectors to analyse energy spectra and identify unknown sources and materials.

Workshop 2: Fusion technology

Visit the University's Tokomak Control Room and find out about methods of creating nuclear fusion as a power source.

Workshop 3/4: Binding Blocks: Building the Universe one Nucleaus at a Time

Explore the concept and applications of binding energy through building a LEGO nuclear chart. Follow nuclear decay chains and research the uses of different isotopes.

Programme:

09.45 - 10.00 Arrival

10.00 - 10.10 Welcome

10.10 - 10.40 Lecture: An introduction to Nuclear Physics

10.40 - 10.55 Tea/Coffee

11.05 - 11.50 Workshop 1

11.55 - 12.40 Workshop 2

12.50 - 13.20 Lunch

13.30 - 14.15 Workshop 3

14.20 - 15.05 Workshop 4

15.15 - 15.45 Lecture: Cutting-Edge Nuclear Physics

15.45 - 16.00 Evaluation

Further information

Groups of less than 5 students from any one school may attend without a teacher. However, they must have consent from both their school and parents.

A maximum of 30 students may attend from any one school: 15 in each strand.

Students are not required to be in school uniform.

Tea/coffee/water will be available at breaks, but all attendees will need to bring a packed lunch.

For further information about the day, please see: www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/nuclear-masterclass/

For more information about the Binding Blocks project, please see: www.york.ac.uk/physics/bindingblocks

For more information about Nuclear Physics at the Unviversity of York, please see www.york.ac.uk/physics/research/nuclear/