The program introduces and explains the atom. Then clarifies the complexities of the release and control of atomic energy, the meaning of radioactivity, and the nature of alpha, beta, and gamma rays.

Objectives: Students will be able to define atoms as basic particles of matter, realize that atoms in molecules are held together by chemical bonds, be aware of the special tools used by nuclear physicists to study atoms, define and differentiate the atomic number of an element, isotopes of an element, and use the periodic table, explain nuclear energy terminology.

Running time: 60 minutes