Gamma-Ray Bursts

Introduction

Lasting anywhere from a few milliseconds to several minutes, Gamma-Ray Bursts(GRBs)  shine hundreds of times brighter than a typical supernova and about a million trillion times as bright as the Sun. Until recently, GRBs were arguably the biggest mystery in high-energy astronomy. But they are not a mistery anymore and today you will learn about the dangers of GRBs.

Task

To complete the tasks you will have to watch a video and read material from a website about Gamma-Ray Bursts. After you watch the video and explore the website you will have to answer questions based on the video and do independant work to complete the extra tasks. And after you answer the questions you will have to compare the answers and hand in your work. You will need a computer, a pen and paper to make notes while watching the video. Good luck!

Process

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLykC1VN7NY

LINK TO WEBSITE! : http://www.livescience.com/2590-gamma-rays-incredible-hulking-reality.html

Process part I: 

Step 1: Watch the video

Step 2: Make notes

Process part II: 

Step 1: Go to - http://www.livescience.com/2590-gamma-rays-incredible-hulking-reality.html

Step 2: Read the article and make notes

Process part III:

Step 1: Read the questions

Step 2: Write down the answers on a piece of paper

QUESTIONS:

1. What are gamma rays?

2. Name 3 frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum?

3. Why are gamma rays so powerful? 

4. How were gamma ray bursts discovered?

5. Name the types of gamma ray bursts?

6. How many gamma ray bursts hit earth everyday?

7. Why are the bursts that hit us harmless to eart?

8. Could the ozone layer protect us from a harmful gamma ray burst?

9. How many % of galaxies might be hospitable to life similar to ours?

10. Is there a way to know if a gamma ray burst is approaching earth? Why?

Process part IV:

Step 1: After you complete the tasks write a short summary on  ''How has the discovery of gamma ray bursts changed our understanding of space''. (Approximately 100 words)

Process part V:

Step 1: Compare and check your answers for Process part III

Step 2: Hand in your work to your teacher

Evaluation

1. Check your answers for Process part III questions

ANSWERS:

1. Electromagnetic radiation waves that carry energy.

2. Radiowaves, Microwaves. Infrared, UV, X-ray, Gamma-ray.

3. Gamma rays can be so powerful that they can actually create matter. This is because, as Einstein's formula E = mc2 explains, energy can get converted to matter, and vice versa.

4. USA sent up spy satellites to spy on the Soviet Union, but the satellites detected faint bursts from space.

5. Short duration bursts and Long-duration bursts.

6. One per day.

7. Because all  the bursts are too far to hurt us.

8. No, because the ozone layer is not strong enough to handle that type of powerful energy.

9. Only 10%!

10. No, because gamma rays travel at the speed of light.

2. Have your teacher check your answers also

3. Hand in Process IV task

4. Turn to your teacher with any questions

 

If you have answered half the questions correctly then you have completed the task! 

 

Conclusion

Congratulations! You just learned about the dangers of GRBs. Now you know that there are threats the earth faces outside our atmosphere. You completed the tasks and did independent research. You handed in your notes and carefully studied the material. Good job! Go share your knowledge with others. 

Credits