Description: This demonstration shows what happens in a Nuclear Reaction. When all the traps are set, just throw in the mouse.
Equipment:
- Plastic box (also used for break the beaker)
- Lot’s of mouse traps
- Twice as many corks
- Little rubber mouse
Setup Procedure:
- Set this up as close to the classroom as possible.
- Take a mousetrap and set it. Place 2 corks on it. Gently place it in the plastic box.
- Repeat until the whole box is filled (see picture).
- Be aware of how you set the traps, so in case it goes off, it won’t hurt your fingers.
- When putting the corks on, position them in a way that they will not get jammed when the trap goes off.
- Also, be very careful when wheeling it into the classroom (if you can, setup in the classroom prior to the class).
- Some professors like the apparatus to be covered with a black cloth until they use it.
- Try and keep it out of the way of high traffic areas.
- When the professor is done, use a stick to poke around to set off any traps that did not go off.
Demonstration Procedure:
- Open the foam flap.
- Throw the mouse in and quickly close the foam flap (so things don’t fly out).
- Chaos follows for 1-2 seconds.
- Explain how this ties in with a nuclear reaction.
Setup Time Warning: This demo can take a very long time to setup, especially when a trap goes off accidentally and sets all the rest off.
Allow plenty of time, and go slowly. The little extra time put into caution is worth it here.