Nuclear Science — Merit Badge

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Scout	AWARD	Req 1					Req 2		Req 3		Req 4Complete any 2			Req 5Complete any one			Req 6Complete any one		Req 7	Req 8
Scout		1a	1b	1c	1d	1e	2a	2b	3a	3b	4a	4b	4c	5a	5b	5c	6a	6b	7	8
Anjali S.First Class	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Finn P.First Class	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Hazel S.Star	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Jack P.Star	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Jameson K.Tenderfoot	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Oliver K.First Class	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Oliver V.Star	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Quinn B.Second Class	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Solomon R.Tenderfoot	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Veronica K.Star	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□
Violet B.Tenderfoot	★	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□

Requirements

From the official BSA merit badge pamphlet — wording is paraphrased here. Confirm against the current pamphlet for sign-off.

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For the whole badge

Explain radiation and ionizing vs. nonionizing radiation

Explain the ALARA principle and how you'll keep your dose ALARA for this badge

Describe the radiation hazard symbol and where it should be used

Explain daily ionizing radiation exposure; list four NORM examples and why they're radioactive

Explain exposure vs. contamination; describe radiation hazards; calculate your annual dose vs. a plant worker's

Explain atom, nucleus, proton, neutron, electron, quark, isotope, alpha/beta/gamma/X-ray, ionization, radioactivity, radioisotope, stability

Build 3-D models of three isotopes of one element with isotope notation; show how quarks make up nucleons

Explain how a particle accelerator works

Visit an accelerator/lab and talk with a scientist, OR list three accelerators and describe their experiments

(Do any 2 of the following)

Build an electroscope; show the effect of a radiation source near it

Make a cloud chamber; show radiation tracks and explain what's happening

Perform a half-life experiment; discuss decay chains

(Do any one of the following)

With survey meter and source, show counts vs. distance and shielding; explain time/distance/shielding

Describe radon detection, test methods, health concerns, and how to reduce radon in buildings

Visit an X-ray facility; draw a floor plan showing unit/operator/patient; explain precautions

(Do any one of the following)

Draw nuclear fission; observe a mousetrap reactor; explain chain reactions, control, and critical mass

Visit a nuclear plant (in person or online); learn how it works; graph nuclear vs. other electricity sources

Give an example of nuclear science in medicine, environment, industry, space exploration, and radiation therapy

Research a nuclear-science career (training, costs, prospects, duties); discuss findings