Science learning material simulating microstructure

Abstract

To provide a learning material that has not been available in secondary science education and allows junior and senior high school students to determine structures at will and conduct experiments using visible light diffraction patterns that simulate the cutting-edge scientific technology of X-ray structural analysis.SOLUTION: Multiple regularly-arranged holes for passing wires are provided around a transparent hole for allowing visible light to pass through, thereby allowing the wire to be threaded through in any way. Such an arrangement allows junior and senior high school students to conduct visible light diffraction experiments simulating X-ray structural analysis using structures determined at will by the students.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention is a science learning tool that can simulate the diffraction patterns of regular microstructures such as DNA, which are possible with X-ray structural analysis, using visible light, and allows junior and senior high school students to conduct quantitative experiments. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0002] In secondary school science classes, students are introduced to structural analysis using X-rays and electron beams, and X-ray diffraction images of DNA, but there are few learning materials that allow junior and senior high school students to conduct quantitative experiments on these topics.

[0003] In recent years, a diffraction experiment teaching material has been developed that simulates X-ray structural analysis for junior and senior high school students, in which visible light is irradiated onto a helical spring that resembles DNA. However, the helical spring can only simulate a single helix structure, and cannot handle double helix structures or other arbitrary structures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In the present invention, by providing a plurality of holes (2) arranged regularly around the light-transmitting hole (1), the way in which the wire is passed through the holes can be changed as desired, and therefore the structural conditions can be changed as desired, including a single-helix structure like a coil spring. [Effects of the Invention]

[0005] This invention makes it possible for secondary school students to conduct visible light diffraction experiments that mimic X-ray structural analysis, a cutting-edge scientific technology, for any structure. Furthermore, junior and senior high school students can freely determine the structure by devising their own wire threading methods, which allows them to set their own research themes and advance their research activities. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the teaching material we invented. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the teaching material we invented with a wire threaded through it. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing a demonstration using the invented teaching material. [Figure 4] This is a diffraction image obtained during a demonstration of the teaching material I invented. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] By placing a teaching material with a predetermined structure through a wire as shown in Figure 2, as shown in Figure 3, and shining a laser beam in the visible light range through the transparent hole in the teaching material, a diffraction image like the one shown in Figure 4 can be obtained on the screen. [Example]

[0008] By analyzing the spacing of the bright bands and the angle at which the bright bands intersect in the diffraction image in Figure 4, junior and senior high school students can experience an analysis similar to X-ray structural analysis. Furthermore, they can compare the analysis results with the conditions in Figure 2, encouraging them to consider error analysis.

[0009] If the holes are arranged symmetrically around the light-transmitting hole as in Figure 1(A), or if the holes are arranged with the left and right sides of the light-transmitting hole shifted alternately as in Figure 1(B), and a wire is passed through each at equal intervals as in Figure 2, then Figure 2(A) will result in a double helix structure, and Figure 2(B) will result in a single helix structure. As in these cases, the structure can be determined by passing a wire arbitrarily through the holes arranged regularly around the light-transmitting hole, so it is possible to set individual research topics and carry out research activities. [Explanation of symbols]

[0010] 1 Transparent hole 2 Regularly arranged multiple holes 3 wire 4 Laser light source 5 Stand 6 screens

Claims

[Claim 1] This is a science learning material for secondary education that has a transparent hole (1) and a plurality of regularly arranged holes (2) around it for passing thin wires through, and can reproduce, with visible light, the diffraction image of a regular fine structure such as DNA, which can be seen in X-ray structural analysis.

Images