Merit Badge Requirements
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NUCLEAR ENERGY
1. Tell the meaning of the following: alpha particle, atom, background radiation, beta particle, curie, fall-out, half-life, ionization, isotope, neutron, neutron activation, nuclear energy, nuclear reactor, particle accelerator, radiation, radioactivity, Roentgen, and x-ray.
2. Make three-dimensional models of the atoms of the three isotopes of hydrogen. Show neutrons, protons, and electrons. Use these models to explain the difference between atomic weight and number.
3. Make a drawing showing how nuclear fission happens. Label all details. Draw a second picture showing how a chain reaction could be started. Also show how it could be stopped. Show what is meant by a "critical mass."
4. Tell who five of the following people were. Explain what each of the five discovered in the field of atomic energy: Henri Becquerel, Niels Bohr, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi, Otto Hahn, Ernest Lawrence, Lise Meitner, William Roentgen, and Sir Ernest Rutherford. Explain how any one person's discovery was related to one other person's work.
5. Draw and color the radiation hazard symbol. Explain where it should and should not be used. Tell why and how people must use radiation or radioactive materials carefully.
6. Do any THREE of the following:
(a) Build an electroscope. Show how it works. Put a radiation source inside it. Explain any difference seen.
(b) Make a simple Geiger counter. Tell the parts. Tell which types of radiation the counter can spot. Tell how many counts per minute of what radiation you have found in your home.
(c) Build a model of a reactor. Show the fuel, the control rods, the shielding, the moderator, and any cooling material. Explain how a reactor could be used to change nuclear into electrical energy or make things radioactive.
(d) Use a Geiger counter and a radiation source. Show how the counts per minute change as the source gets closer. Put three different kinds of material between the source and the detector. Explain any differences in the counts per minute. Tell which is the best to shield people from radiation and why.
(e) Use fast-speed film and a radiation source. Show the principles of autoradiography and radiography. Explain what happened to the films. Tell how someone could use this in medicine, research, or industry.
(f) Using a Geiger counter (that you have built or borrowed), find a radiation source that has been hidden under a covering. Find it in a least three other places under the cover. Explain how someone could use this in medicine, research, agriculture, or industry.
(g) Visit a place where X-ray is used. Draw a floor plan of the room in which it is used. Show where the unit, the person who runs it, and the patient would be when it is used. Describe the radiation dangers from x-ray.
(h) Make a cloud chamber. Show how it can be used to see the tracks caused by radiation. Explain what is happening.
(i) Visit a place where radioisotopes are being used. Explain by drawing how and why it is used.
(j) Get samples of irradiated seeds. Plant them. Plant a group of nonirradiated seeds of the same kind. Grow both groups. List any differences. Discuss what irradiation does to seeds.
1. Show that you know first aid for injuries and illnesses that could occur while canoeing, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, sunburn, insect string, tick bites, blisters and hyperventilation.
2. Do the following:
(a) Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Explain how such conditions are recognized.
(b) Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.
3. Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete BSA swimmer test. Jump feetfirst into water over your head in depth, swim 75 yards or 75 meters in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards or 25 meters using an easy resting backstroke. The 100 yards or 100 meters must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating as motionless as possible.
4. Do the following:
(a) Name and point out the major parts of a canoe and paddle.
(b) Know canoeing terminology.
(c) Explain and demonstrate canoe kneeling and sitting positions and the proper use of each position.
(d) Review and discuss BSA Safety Afloat, and demonstrate the proper fit and use of personal floatation devices (PFD's).
(e) Demonstrate how to load and secure equipment in a canoe.
5. With a companion and using a properly equipped canoe:
(a) Properly carry, launch, and get into the bow of the canoe from dock or shore (both, if possible).
(b) Paddle 100 yards on one side only in the bow position using a single-blade paddle. Turn underway and return to shore or dock showing proper form and use of the bow or power stroke, diagonal draw, and quarter sweep. Repeat while paddling on the other side.
(c) While paddling on one side only in the bow position, demonstrate how to hold water and stop. Show proper form and use of the push away, pullover, reverse sweep, and backwater. Repeat while paddling on the other side.
(d) Change places with your companion while canoe is afloat.
(e) Paddle 100 yards on one side only in the stern position. Turn underway and return to shore or dock while maintaining course and giving proper signals to your companion. Show proper form and use of the stern power stroke (the J stroke). Repeat while paddling on the other side.
(f) While paddling on one side only in the stern position, demonstrate how to hold water and stop. Show proper form and the use of the push away, pullover, reverse sweep, and backstroke. Repeat while paddling on the other side.
(g) As bow paddler, make a proper landing and get out of the canoe while following directions from your companion. Repeat in the stern position giving directions to your companion.
(h) Store canoe properly.
6. While on deep water with a companion, fully dressed and wearing proper PFD:
(a) Jump safely out of the canoe. Get back in without capsizing.
(b) Capsize the canoe, get back in, secure all loose gear, and paddle the swamped canoe 25 yards. Go overboard from the swamped canoe and swim, tow or push the swamped canoe 50 feet.
(c) Empty the swamped canoe in shallow water.
7. Demonstrate solo canoe handling:
(a) Launch from shore or pier (both, if possible).
(b) Using a single-blade paddle and paddling only on one side, demonstrate proper form and use of the forward stroke (J stroke), forward and reverse sweeps, backwater, stop, pullover, push away, inside and outside pivots, and sculling. Repeat while paddling on the other side.
(c) While paddling on one side only, paddle a 50-yard course making at least one turn underway and one reverse of direction. Repeat while paddling on the other side.
(d) Make a proper landing at dock or shore (both, if possible). Store canoe properly (with assistance, if needed).
8. While alone in a canoe on deep water and wearing PFD, jump safely out of the canoe. Get back in without capsizing.
9. With a companion in your canoe and while giving instructions to persons who have capsized a canoe in deep water, empty the swamped canoe over your own canoe and assist the persons in reboarding the emptied canoe.
10. Discuss:
(a) General care and maintenance of canoeing equipment.
(b) How to rig a canoe for sailing.
(c) The difference between river (moving water) canoeing and lake (flatwater) canoeing.
List of Merit Badge Requirements