FRANKLIN-SIMPSON HIGH SCHOOL
Course Name: Chemistry
Unit Name: Nuclear Chemistry
Days: 6 days
Quality Core Objectives:
Unit 20 Nuclear Chemistry
I.A.1.
Scientific
Inquiry
c. Collect, organize, and analyze data accurately and use techniques and equipment appropriately
d. Interpret results and draw conclusions, revising hypotheses as necessary and/or formulating additional
questions or explanations
e. Write and speak effectively to present and explain scientific results, using appropriate terminology and
graphics
f. Safely use laboratory equipment and techniques when conducting scientific investigations
g. Routinely make predictions and estimations
I.A.2.
Mathematics g. Use graphical, mathematical, and/or statistical models to express patterns and relationships inferred from
sets of scientific data
and
Measurement
in Science
I.A.3.
Science in
Practice
c. Explain the criteria that explanations must meet to be considered scientific (e.g., be consistent with
experimental/observational evidence about nature, be open to critique and modification, use ethical
reporting methods and procedures)
e. Use a variety of appropriate sources (e.g., Internet, scientific journals) to retrieve relevant information; cite
references properly
f. Identify and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of widespread use of and reliance on technology
II.A.2. Elements,
c. Compare characteristics of isotopes of the same element
Atomic Mass,
and
Nomenclature
V.E.
Nuclear
Chemistry
a. Describe alpha, beta, and gamma decay, half-life, and fission and fusion
b. Write appropriate equations for nuclear decay reactions, using particle balance; describe how the nucleus
changes during these reactions and compare the resulting radiation with regard to penetrating ability
Purpose of the Unit:
Students will be able to describe alpha, beta, and gamma decay and construct the appropriate nuclear decay reactions for various
isotopes. They will be able to identify and describe the three basic types of nuclear decay particles with regard to penetrating
ability. Students will also be able to identify and appropriately cite relevant scientific sources with regard to MLA formatting. In
addition, students will be able to utilize steps in the scientific inquiry process using graphical, mathematical, or statistical models as
necessary.
Prerequisites:
* Identify and calculate the number of subatomic particles in an isotope of a given element.
* Knowledge of the appropriate use of laboratory equipment along with the associated safety protocols.
* Prior exposure sources, examples and implications of radiation.
Daily Lesson Guide
Day
Lesson Content and
Objectives
1
Intro Video from
United Streaming:
Physics: A World in
Motion:
Radioactivity
I.A.3.f
V.E.a
2
Properties of alpha,
beta, and gamma
particles
(composition, decay
reactions, etc.)
II.A.2.c
V.E.a
V.E.b
Focus Questions
*What do you
already know
about radiation?
*What are some
applications/
examples of
radiation?
* What makes up
the radioactive
particles?
*Why do nuclei
decay?
* What happens
when a nucleus
decay?
Critical Thinking
Engagement
(High Yield / Literacy /LTF/etc.)
* 3-2-1
*Bell ringer/ hook
* Complete preassessment
* Watch video/
make notes
* Complete video
quiz (formative)
* Structured Notes
*Bell ringer
* I Do-We Do- You Do with
* Make notes from
decay and absorption
brief lecture.
reactions
* Solve a series of
nuclear decay/
absorption
reactions
(formative)
Assessment and/or
Accommodations
* Common pre-test
* Complete video quiz
Enrichment: Completion of quiz
without aide of notes; discussion of
implications of irradiation of food
sources.
* Completion of a nuclear decay
worksheet.
Enrichment: Completion of decay
and absorption SERIES (rather than
1-step problems). Also work
backwards to find initial reactants.
3
4
5
Use critical thinking
to form an opinion
and defend a
position concerning
radiation.
I.A.1.d
I.A.3.c
I.A.3.e
Collaborate with
Library Media
Specialist to instruct
students how to use
the KYVL to obtain
and cite (MLA)
scientific sources of
information.
I.A.3.c
I.A.3.e
I.A.3.f
Review of unit.
I.A.1
I.A.2
I.A.3
II.A.2
V.E.
Exam
6
Can I create a
written
argument to
effectively
defend a
position?
* Use graphic organizer to
organize thoughts before
writing On Demand response.
*Pro/Con Chart
Can I distinguish * Structured notes
between reliable * I Do-We Do-You Do
scientific and
non-scientific
research?
Can I use MLA
formatting to cite
scientific
research in a
bibliography?
Do I have the
material of this
unit mastered?
* Use clickers to test students’
knowledge and use immediate
feedback to readdress last
minute misconceptions.
*Bell ringer
* Taking a position
on a topic and
defending it in
writing using the 5paragraph essay
method.
* Evaluation of students’ writing
product.
Enrichment: Students will be
responsible for using an outside
source that we have not discussed
in class.
*Bell Ringer
* Choose a topic
relating to
radiation.
* Find 10 scientific
journal articles
about the topic.
* Cite, using MLA
style, those sources
in a bibliography
(formative)
*Bell Ringer
* Students
participate in a
review game using
the clickers to
provide individual
answers and receive
immediate
feedback
(summative)
* Students take
exam (summative)
* Evaluation of bibliography on
correctness of MLA formatting.
Enrichment: Students choose own
topic for research and sources must
include both on-line and paper
journals. Also, will include 10
sources.
* Students participate in review.
Enrichment: Less time to solve
problems, no use of calculator so
they will have to think quickly and
estimate.
* Summative exam.
Enrichment: No use of supports,
limited calculator availability, must
use periodic table with only
symbols of elements, not names.