Question about Space Radiation Protection activity
Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2022 2:13 pm
Hello!
My 7th grader is really interested in this project and wants to ask if their experiment idea would be a good way to test the project.
They want test how well different materials work in shielding a biological organism from the Earth to the Moon, compare and contrast those materials to what they were using for the Apollo missions to now, and suggest the best materials based on the experiment findings.
The experiment they have in mind: Using a plant as the biological organism, measure the radiation exposure levels at varying rates of exposure, and then use different materials as “shielding’ to compare and contrast the difference.
Questions:
1)They are unsure if the radiation levels from the source suggested would be strong enough to effect a plant? If so, is there any thing they should keeping in mind setting up the lab conditions to make sure results would be focused on the radiation.
2) they are trying to come up with a list of materials to use for shielding, and they know that the Apollo missions used gold kapton foil as heat shields but not sure what could be used as a stand in? Their ultimate goal is try and figure out what material works the best and determine how much we’ve improved since, so they would be researching what materials are used today. What questions should they consider when researching what materials should be used?
Thank you very much!
-melanie cordan
Mom of Gavin Young
-------------------------------------
Leave this to help the Experts:
The activity can be viewed at: Space Radiation Protection
My 7th grader is really interested in this project and wants to ask if their experiment idea would be a good way to test the project.
They want test how well different materials work in shielding a biological organism from the Earth to the Moon, compare and contrast those materials to what they were using for the Apollo missions to now, and suggest the best materials based on the experiment findings.
The experiment they have in mind: Using a plant as the biological organism, measure the radiation exposure levels at varying rates of exposure, and then use different materials as “shielding’ to compare and contrast the difference.
Questions:
1)They are unsure if the radiation levels from the source suggested would be strong enough to effect a plant? If so, is there any thing they should keeping in mind setting up the lab conditions to make sure results would be focused on the radiation.
2) they are trying to come up with a list of materials to use for shielding, and they know that the Apollo missions used gold kapton foil as heat shields but not sure what could be used as a stand in? Their ultimate goal is try and figure out what material works the best and determine how much we’ve improved since, so they would be researching what materials are used today. What questions should they consider when researching what materials should be used?
Thank you very much!
-melanie cordan
Mom of Gavin Young
-------------------------------------
Leave this to help the Experts:
The activity can be viewed at: Space Radiation Protection