Real World: NASA Harnesses Half-Life

Description

Learn about isotopes and radioactive decay. See how NASA uses the predictable decay of certain elements to power spacecraft in remote locations. Find out why a Radioisotope Power System, or RPS, provides dependable energy for the Mars Science Laboratory.

Published on: February 07, 2013

Download High Def. Video
Caption File
NOTE: Download Caption file and link it in your player to get caption in the video.

Keywords

NASA, NIA, eClips, Real World, Middle School, Video, Education, Mathematics, Technology, Science, Engineering, solar system, radioactive, medical technology, Madame Curie, nuclear, energy, matter, particles, atoms, protons, neutrons, electrons, isotopes, r

Background Information

NASA Radioisotope Power Systems. 6-8

NASA Radioisotope Power Systems. 9-12

NASA JPL Eyes on the Solar System. 6-8

NASA JPL The Periodic Table: Atoms, Elements, and Isotopes. 6-8

NASA JPL Voyager: The Interstellar Mission. 6-8

NASA JPL What are isotopes and why should we care?. 6-8

Nuclear Energy Institute Space Exploration: Why Nuclear Energy?. 6-8

Activities

NASA JPL Cosmic Chemistry: Understanding Elements. 6-8