Nuclear Chemistry Writing Assignment
Directions: Read the letter (written to you---the SCIENTIST) below. Your response must be in the form of a formal letter back to the Operations Manager of the wildlife preserve. You must answer all the questions asked by the Operations Manager to get full credit. Use academic discourse (scientific language) when writing your letter. Letters with slang and text characters/language will not be graded.
======================================================================================
Dear Scientist,
I’m in charge of a very large wildlife preserve in the State of Florida. We have many different plant and animal species on the property. On any given weekend, we have over 500 visitors who come out to walk the park and see the wildlife.
This morning, I received word that a truck containing a radioactive material ran off the road and crashed. The radioactive material being transported leaked out of the storage tank and entered the environment. I have closed the park because I am concerned for the wildlife and the visitors that come to our wildlife preserve.
We do not have anyone on staff that can help us answer questions about the dangers of radioactive contamination or how long the radioactive material will stay in the ecosystem. The company that was transporting the material provided me with some information about the radioactive element, but I need your help to determine when I can reopen the park to visitors.
The following information is from the transportation company:
Name of Element:
Destructium
Shipping Facility Location:
Miami, FL
Delivery Location:
Atlanta, GA
Is the daughter isotope stable?
Yes
What is the half-life of the material?
21 years
% of parent isotope remaining before safe
6.25%
I really don’t understand how this information can help us, so I’m begging for your help! I need to release a press statement to the public as soon as possible. Can you tell me the danger associated with nuclear contamination to our wildlife or park guests? When will the park be safe to reopen (I have no idea how to calculate the time with the information provided to me)? In order to reassure the state governing board that oversees environmental disasters and the public, I need you to give an explanation as to what your calculations mean.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon with a detailed response to my questions.
Very best regards,
Bruce Lee
Operations Manager
======================================================================================
Based on what you know about the dangers of radioactivity and halflives, construct a letter to Mr. Lee on the next page. Remember this is a formal letter!