Cosmic Shuffle

Purpose: Use cards to create the nucleosynthesis reaction of elements up
to oxygen.

> This game could be played to reinforce the reactions that occur in the
> stars to form elements or when discussing nuclear reactions.
>
> An extension of this game would be for students to tell where in the
> life cycle of the star the reaction occurs.

Preparation: Use 3 x 5 note cards to represent the different isotopes
and nuclear particles. Write the symbols portrait style on the cards. In
parenthesis are the number of each card you will need. It is significant
that there are so many ^1^H~1~ and energy cards.

> ^1^H~1~ (24), ^2^H~1~ (3), e^+^ (7), e^\_^ (3), energy (20), neutrinos
> (7), ^4^He~2~ (6), ^3^He~2~(5), ^7^Li~3~ (2)~,~ ^7^Be~4~(2) ,
> ^8^Be~4~(1) , ^8^B~5~(1),^12^C~6~(3), ^13^C~6~(2) , ^14^N~7~(4),
> ^15^N~7~ (3), ^15^O~8~(3), ^16^O~8~(3)

Rules: The goal is to use cards to make a play that represent
nucleosynthesis reaction. And the point of nucleosynthesis is to make
stable isotopes even though some unstable isotopes are produced before
stable ones are. Points are determined by mass of cards created in a
reaction. For example, ^1^H~1~ is worth 1 point, ^2^H~1~ is worth 2
points, ^4^He~2~ is worth 4 points, etc. Positrons, neutrinos, and
energy are both worth one point. Reactions are mostly fusion, positron
emission, and electron capture. Starting a reaction or adding on to an
existing reaction (using the products as the reactants) for a series
reaction can also obtain points. It is possible that some reactions
could be played that do not actually occur.

The game begins with each player being dealt 7 cards. Players alternate
turns where each selects one card from the stack of undealt cards, and
then make possible plays. A play consists of placing on the table a
reaction with reactants and products (see list below). The reaction can
be made using the cards in the player's hand and the products from
reactions already played. A player may not only use products from
reactions he/she has played, but may also use products from reactions
played by other players. Players may create the same reaction more than
once. If no reaction can be made, the player passes.

> The game is over when all cards are drawn, and no more plays are
> possible. Players total their points from all the reactions they have
> played. The winner is the person with the highest number of points.
>
> Depending on the students' understanding of the nucleosynthesis
> reactions an additional student could serve as a judge to determine if
> the reaction actually occurs.
>
> Students may also need to be reminded that when a proton changes into
> a neutron an electron or a positron is given off. Whenever an electron
> or positron is involved in a reaction involved in a reaction a
> neutrino is given off. If a neutrino is given off it carries away the
> energy. If a neutrino is not involved then energy (gamma rays) are
> given off.

Reactions that can occur:

^1^H~1~ + ^1^H~1~  ^2^H~1~ + e^+^ + neutrino (positron emission is when
^1^p ~+1~  ^1^n~0~

\+ ^0^e~+1~)

^2^H~1~ + ^1^H~1~  ^3^He~2~ + energy (fusion)

^3^He~2~ + ^3^He~2~  ^4^He~2~ + 2 ^1^H~1~ + energy

4 ^1^H~1~  ^4^He~2~ +2 e^+^ + 2 neutrinos

^3^He~2~ + ^4^He~2~  ^7^Be~4~ + energy

^7^Be~4~ + e^-^  ^7^Li~3~ + neutrino (electron capture is when ^1^p~1~
 ^0^e~-1~ =^1^n~0~)

^7^Li~3~ + ^1^H~1~  2 ^4^He~2~

^7^Be~4~ + ^1^H~1~  ^8^B~5~ + energy

^8^B~5~  ^8^Be~4~ + e^+^ + neutrino

^8^Be~4~  2^4^He~2~

^12^C~6~ + ^1^H~1~  ^13^N~7~ + energy

^13^N~7~  ^13^C~6~ + e^+^ + neutrino

^13^C~6~ + ^1^H~1~  ^14^N~7~ + energy

^14^N~7~ + ^1^H~1~  ^15^O~8~ + energy

^15^O~8~  ^15^N~7~ + e^+^ + neutrino

^15^N~7~ + ^1^H~1~  ^12^C~6~ + ~2~He^4^