Nuclear Lesson Plan
Length of time: 5 periods Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5
Statement: Radioactivity is a natural phenomenon that has been adapted and channeled for a variety of uses including security systems, sanitation, and medicine as well as a source of energy (nuclear power). It involves the fusion or decay of nuclei along with the accompanying emission of energy, electromagnetic waves, and particles.
Teacher Materials: Matches, Ring Stand, Tape, PowerPoints, Sentence strips for word wall and Time line, Chemistry Text, Paper, Notecards, Modeling Clay, Skittles, Construction Paper, Trays that skittles will not roll out of
Objectives:
· When synthesizing a chart of the four fundamental forces that describes the particles acted upon, range, relative strength, and natural phenomenon associated with each force, include a description of how the strong nuclear force affects the stability of the nucleus and how the weak nuclear force is responsible for the changing of the flavors of quarks.
· Identify four types of nuclear radiation, their properties, and how we use them.
· Distinguish between fission and fusion
· Explain what a chain reaction is, how one is initiated, and how it can be controlled.
· Explain what is meant by half-life.
· Give examples of nuclear decay, fission, and fusion from the natural world and from human uses.
· Differentiate between chemical and nuclear reactions in terms of involvement of subatomic particles, and energy output.
Activities:
Introduction
· Demonstration: A Chain Reaction (4-5 minutes)
· Have students write the answers to the Analysis questions.
· Do not correct their answers.
· Introduce Objectives (2 minutes)
· Preview Appropriate Text Chapter (3 minutes) (Pearson – Starting Page 874. Glencoe – Starting Page 858) with a 2 minute continuous RoundRobin to find clues to forces, types of radiation, types of reactions, uses of nuclear chemistry in life.
· margin notes
· pictures
· section reviews
Presentation
· FCIM PowerPoint on Four Fundamental Forces (10 Minutes) or visit website:
http://sdsu-physics.org/physics180/physics180B/Chapters/phys180Bch31.html
· Students create a chart of the four fundamental forces that describes the particles acted upon, range, relative strength, and natural phenomenon associated with each force, include a description of how the strong nuclear force affects the stability of the nucleus and how the weak nuclear force is responsible for the changing of the flavors of quarks. (Rally Table Consensus or Round Table Consensus) (5 minutes)
· (Activity for super fast groups- Work on one Large Poster-sized Chart for the Classroom)
· Reading Activity Types of Radiation (10 minutes)
· Read/pin-point/praise/repeat (Continuous All-Write RoundRobin) to create a four flap foldable on Types of radiation
· Pearson - pages 876-879.
· Glencoe – pages 859-864.
· (Activities for super fast groups- Add Terms to WORD WALL, Add Events to Time Line, Create Fact Q&A Notecards)
· Quiz-Quiz-Trade with the 12 Facts from the Radiation Properties Table (5 minutes)
· PowerPoint: Nuclear Changes (15 minutes Chem Regular, 25 minutes Chem Honors)
· Reading Activity Fission and Fusion
· Read/pin-point/praise/repeat (Continuous All-Write RoundRobin) to create a book cover type two flap foldable to compare fission and fusion
· Pearson - pages 888-891.
· Glencoe – pages 858-859.
· Use modeling clay to model fission and fusion and record the approved results on foldable.
· Redo the Demonstration (A Chain Reaction)
· Have students evaluate their answers to the Analysis questions and make adjustments or changes to their answers if necessary.
· Discuss the answers to the Analysis questions.
· PowerPoint on Radioactive Dating (10 Minutes Optional – not tested)
· Lab: Half-life of Skittles to Model Radioactive Decay
· Finish Powerpoint on Chemical Change if needed.
· Stand Up-Hand Up-Pair Up or Fan and Pick Review
Extra Practice/Review:
· Worksheet: Types of Radiation
· Gizmos:
· Nuclear Decay
· Half-life
· Energy Conversions
· Venn Diagram: Difference between Chemical and Nuclear Reactions
· Neutron Debate/RAFT (see bottom of this lesson)
· (Honors) Worksheet: Balancing Nuclear Equations
Evaluation
· Test
Neutron Debate/R.A.F.T.
Each Student in the group assumes the role of a neutron in different setting.
One is in an unstable nucleus about to undergo alpha decay.
One is in an unstable nucleus about to undergo beta decay.
One is in a stable nucleus involved in an exothermic chemical reaction.
One has high energy and is headed toward U-235 in a reactor.
The group will discuss the various environments, and then each will try to convince the others that their own personal setting is the most prestigious or advantageous.
Each Neutron will write a press release describing their victory in the debate and the reasons they are most prestigious.