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Course: Big History Project > Unit 3
Lesson 2: Creation of Complex Elements | 3.1- ACTIVITY: Is It In There?
- ACTIVITY: Threshold Card — Threshold 3 New Chemical Elements
- WATCH: Threshold 3 — New Chemical Elements
- WATCH: What Did Stars Give Us?
- WATCH: Why Star Stuff Matters
- READ: The Evolving Star - Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar: Graphic Biography
- READ: A Little Big History of Silver
- Quiz: Creation of Complex Elements
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ACTIVITY: Is It In There?
Purpose
This lesson emphasizes the connection between the chemical elements created in dying stars and the world around us today. Looking at a variety of everyday objects, you’ll guess whether certain elements are found in these objects.
Process
If you want to get a real sense of the connection between our daily lives and dying stars, you don’t need to look very far. Chemical elements formed in the dramatic explosions of dying stars are essential to products and systems we use every day. In this brief activity, you will try to determine which chemical elements are found in the following: a cell phone, a car, the Golden Gate Bridge, and a blueberry muffin.
Complete the Is It in There? worksheet to the best of your ability. Don’t spend more than 5 to 10 minutes on this. Once you are done, compare your answers to those on the answer key, and see how you did!
For Further Discussion
What surprised you the most as something that is “in there”? Share your surprise in the Questions Area below.
Want to join the conversation?
- Gold and silver in electrical circuitry. I would expect copper.(3 votes)
- i was surprised to see copper in blueberries(2 votes)
- I was surprised that there is a liquid crystal display for phones and cars(1 vote)
- I was surprised to see Mercury in the Golden Gate Bridge.(1 vote)
- Oh no it's there(1 vote)