|
5-3D: Cold Fusion - A Solution to Our Energy Needs? [CTA]
|
|
This is a CTA Activity.
Overall Expectations
Scientific Investigation Skills and Career Exploration (A1)
-
I will be able to demonstrate scientific investigation skills (related to both inquiry and research) in the four areas of skills (initiating and planning, performing and recording, analysing and interpreting, and communicating)
Electrochemistry (F1, F2)
-
I will be able to assess, on the basis of research, the viability of using electrochemical technologies as alternative sources of energy and explain their potential impact on society and the environment.
-
I will be able to use appropriate terminoligy related to electrochemistry
|
|
|
Forum Instructions
In this activity you will perform research on the topic of cold fusion and prepare a personal response to one of the options provided. You will present your findings in a forum post that is 100-150 words long as well as respond to the responses of other students on the topic.
Task
Step 1: Introduction
Watch the video at the following link to learn about cold fusion.
Nuclear fusion is a process in which atomic nuclei merge with each other to form a single nucleus. In the process, a tremendous amount of energy is released. It has long been a dream of scientists to harness the energy from this fusion process to produce usable energy to meet the needs of humanity. However, for fusion to occur extremely high temperatures are required (like the temperature on the surface of the sun, for example). These temperatures are currently impossible to safely reach on earth, resulting in scientists trying for decades to find ways to perform fusion at a more reasonable temperature. This theoretical process has been called cold fusion. In the past, there have been some researchers who have claimed that they have achieved cold fusion, only to later be proven wrong and accused of false claims.
Step 2: Research
- Locate 1-2 credible resources on cold fusion.
- Analyse the impact that pursuing cold fusion has on society and the environment by answering one of the questions below:
Locate a current article in the news or scientific journal that describes an effort by a scientist or group of scientists to achieve cold fusion. Briefly describe the process that the group is using and summarize their result. State whether you think this process has legitimate commercial uses and justify your opinion using facts and your own scientific knowledge. Describe the impact that its use would have on society and the environment.
Tremendous sums of money have been spent on fusion research already, with limited success. In the future, billions more will need to be spent to potentially achieve the goal of cold fusion. Based on what you know about cold fusion and the current state of research on the topic, evaluate whether or not it is worth continuing to invest large sums of money in this potential technology. State your position and justify your opinion using facts and your own scientific knowledge. If we were to proceed with cold fusion, describe the impact that its use would have on society and the environment.
Step 3: Form Post
- Write a 100-150 word forum post that responds to the question you chose above.
- Cite your source(s). Provide in-text citations and a proper APA citation at the end of your post. Review the citation guidelines provided below.
Step 4: Respond to a Post
- Respond to at least one other post using the two stars and a wish format:
- Identify two positive aspects of the forum post. You can share your thoughts about their response, elements you found surprising or interesting, or anything else you want to share.
- Express one wish about what your course-mate might do next time to improve another aspect of the work.
Citation Guidelines
APA Style: Research text only
|
|
|
|
|
This assignment requires you to complete an APA style references page that should list the sources you consulted while responding to the questions in Step 1.
|
In-Text Citation Requirement
|
Please supply in-text citations for researched information included in your responses to the questions in Step 1 only.
|
|
|
Beck, C. B. (2010). An overview of plant structure and development. In An introduction to plant structure and development: Plant Anatomy for the Twenty-First Century (p. 11). essay, Cambridge University Press.
|
|
|
Unlike humans whose capacity for growth stops after a certain point where cells begin replacing dead cells instead of adding tissue, vascular plants can continue to add new cells and tissues to the plant body for as long as they live. This can explain how extremely old vascular plants, like Redwood trees in California, have developed such massive trunks over time (Beck, 2010).
|
|
|
|
|
|
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is expected that all text be in your own words. Any information used should be paraphrased rather than directly copied.
|
|
|
| Success Criteria
You can check your work against the success criteria that is listed here:
- I can describe how cold fusion can be used to generate electricity.
- I can use appropriate terminology related to electrochemistry to communicate my ideas.
- I can organize and present my ideas in a logical manner.
- I can conduct research and use a variety of sources to gather information and cite my sources using APA format.
- I can analyse the impact of a new scientific discoveries or technologies on society and the environment.
Make sure your POST and RESPONSE meet all the Level 4 criteria listed below:
| Knowledge |
Level 0 (0-49%) |
Level 1 (50-59%) |
Level 2 (60-69%) |
Level 3 (70-79%) |
Level 4 (80-100%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Understanding of concepts
|
Student meets little or none of the requirements
|
Student demonstrates limited understanding of concepts
|
Student demonstrates some understanding of concepts
|
Student demonstrates considerable understanding of concepts
|
Student demonstrates thorough understanding of concepts
|
| Inquiry |
Level 0 (0-49%) |
Level 1 (50-59%) |
Level 2 (60-69%) |
Level 3 (70-79%) |
Level 4 (80-100%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Use of critical/creative thinking processes, skills, and strategies |
Student meets little or none of the requirements
|
Student uses critical/ creative thinking processes, skills, and strategies with limited effectiveness |
Student uses critical/ creative thinking processes, skills, and strategies with some effectiveness |
Student uses critical/ creative thinking processes, skills, and strategies with considerable effectiveness |
Student uses uses critical/ creative thinking processes, skills, and strategies with a high degree of effectiveness |
| Communication |
Level 0 (0-49%) |
Level 1 (50-59%) |
Level 2 (60-69%) |
Level 3 (70-79%) |
Level 4 (80-100%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Expression and organization of ideas and information in written forms |
Student meets little or none of the requirements |
Student expresses and organizes ideas and information with limited effectiveness |
Student expresses and organizes ideas and information with some effectiveness |
Student expresses and organizes ideas and information with considerable effectiveness |
Student expresses and organizes ideas and information with a high degree of effectiveness |
| Application |
Level 0 (0-49%) |
Level 1 (50-59%) |
Level 2 (60-69%) |
Level 3 (70-79%) |
Level 4 (80-100%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Making connections between science, technology, society, and the environment |
Student meets little or none of the requirements |
Student makes connections between science, technology, society, and the environment with limited effectiveness |
Student makes connections between science, technology, society, and the environment with some effectiveness |
Student makes connections between science, technology, society, and the environment with considerable effectiveness |
Student makes connections between science, technology, society, and the environment with a high degree of effectiveness |
|
|
|
How to Post
- This activity is meant to be completed by you in your own words. It is meant to bring out your own thoughts and ideas. Please ensure that you keep citations to a minimum and that you follow the academic policies that are outlined in your Academic Integrity contract
- Don't forget: Always use polite language and a respectful tone. Your grading teacher will monitor this forum.
- A sample post is shown below. You may use it for guidance, but your own posts must show your own individual thinking.
- When you are ready to post, click on the "Add a new discussion topic" button located at the bottom on this page.
|
|
|
Sample Post
Sample Post
In my view, cold fusion is very valuable for supporting the future development of human knowledge and technology. Since things like space travel and investigation needs plenty of energy and based on the current level of technology, we do not have a good energy producing method of supporting airship to go long distances, fusion research will be very beneficial for societal evolution. Also, as we can see, the sun is a good example of the results of fusion. Therefore, I think researching and spending more money on cold fusion is good.
|
|
|
