Uses of radioactivity

Physics

Specification
S / AQA / A / Edexcel / S / OCR Twenty First Century Science
A / OCR Gateway / A / WJEC

Enquiring Minds Stage 2: Defining and responding

CBI: Problem solving – analysing facts and situations

Triple Science resources
Quick guide(s) / Training materials / e-learning asset/web link on triplescience.org.uk / Case studies

Try ‘Nuclear Physics:schoolphysics14-16’

Keywords

Radioisotope, half-life

How Science Works

1.3 Communication skills

a recall, analyse, interpret, apply and question scientific information or ideas.

1.4 Applications and implications of science

a the use of contemporary scientific and technological developments and their benefits, drawbacks and risks

b to consider how and why decisions about science and technology are made.

How Science Works progression in this activity

Students demonstrate their knowledge of radioactive processes and appreciate how these are used to carry out various tasks.

Learning objectives

Students will:

  • recall and appreciate the properties of various radioisotopes, including penetrating ability, ionising ability and half-life
  • consider how radioisotopes are used and the reasons for and against using them.

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to carry out a SWOT analysis of one or more uses of radioactivity.

Key concepts/knowledge/skills/understanding addressed by this activity

Students should already be aware of the important aspects of radioactivity, eg half-life, penetrating ability. They should show, perhaps by compiling an A4 sheet, the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of a use of radioisotopes.

Assessment opportunities in this activity

  • Can students identify several Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats?
  • Can they work with more than one context?

How ICT is used to support learning

Various resources may be used to provide information.

Overview of activity
Students select (or are allocated) one or more uses of radioisotopes, eg thickness measurement, smoke alarm, chemical dispersion. They indicate their perception of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, perhaps by producing an A4 sheet with information.
Activity in detail

Activity title

A SWOT analysis of radioisotope usage
This activity can be used when most of the ‘content’ of radioactivity has already been taught. Students may have met ‘uses of radioactivity’ through texts, videos, websites, etc.
You will probably need to carry out a modelling exercise in advance, so that pupils understand the concept of SWOT analysis.
This work could be done individually or in small groups.
Students select (or are allocated) one or more uses of radioisotopes, eg thickness measurement, smoke alarm, chemical dispersion.
They indicate their perception of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, perhaps by producing an A4 sheet with information.
Opportunities to differentiate learning
By input – some uses of radioactivity (eg medical tracers) will be more stimulating than others.
By output – some students will show a wider appreciation than others of the problems and solutions. Some will show their ability by the quality of their written responses.
Risk assessment
Main hazards identified / Who would be affected? / Control measures to reduce risk
Inappropriate use of the internet / Students involved / Teacher carefully monitors student activity plus usual school site access software
Resources
Many standard texts have articles on uses of radioactivity. Alternatively, try the SATIS project material
by Year 10 pupils!