Analyze and Conclude

1. Calculating What was the average fall time for the arrangement of dominoes in Steps 1 and 2? In Steps 3 and 4?

2. Applying Concepts What type of reaction was modeled in Steps 3 and 4?

3. Using Models In your falling-dominoes model of nuclear fission chain reactions, what did a standing domino represent? What did the fall of a domino represent?

4. Using Models In your falling-dominoes model of nuclear fission chain reactions, what did the striking of one domino by another represent? What did the metric ruler represent?

5. Analyzing Data Before a sample of an easily fissionable isotope is used, it is refined by removing less fissionable isotopes of the same element. On the basis of your observations in Steps 6 through 10, explain why this refinement is necessary.

6. Inferring What factors do you think would affect the rate of a nuclear fission chain reaction?

7. Drawing Conclusions What do you think would happen to a nuclear fission chain reaction if control rods were not present?

8. Evaluating and Revising What are some of the limitations of using falling dominoes to model a nuclear fission chain reaction? Suggest how you might revise this model to make it more representative of a chain reaction.

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