G1.

1 Lesson Plan
U7 Unit Plan: Nuclear Processes
Performance Expectations (PE) HS-PS 1-8 state:

Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of

the atom and the energy released during the process of fission, fusion, and
radioactive decay
Clarification Statements:

Emphasis is on simple qualitative models, such as pictures or

diagrams, and on the scale of energy released in nuclear processes
relative to other kinds of transformations

Assessment Boundaries:

Assessment does not include quantitative calculation of energy

released
Assessment ins limited to alpha, beta, and gamma radioactive decays

Science and Engineering

Practices
Develop a model
based on evidence
to illustrate the
relationships
between systems or
between
components of a
system

Disciplinary Core Ideas

Nuclear processes,
including fusion,
fission, and
radioactive decays of
unstable nuclei,
involve release or
absorption of energy

Crosscutting Concepts
In nuclear
processes,
atoms are not
conserved, but
the total
number of
protons plus
neutrons is
conserved

Evidence Statements

Related PEs: none

Related CCSS for Mathematics:

Model with mathematics (MP.4)

Use units as a way to understand problems and to guide the solution of
multi-step problems; choose and interpret units consistently in
formulas; choose and interpret the scale and the origin in graphs and
data displays

Define appropriate quantities for the purpose of descriptive modeling

Choose a level of accuracy appropriate to limitations on measurement
when reporting quantities

Major Chapters: 19
Major Book Sections: 19.1a, 19.3a, 19.3b, 19.3d
Minor Book Sections:
General Preliminary Plan
W1
2L
19.1
a
19.3
a

W2
1L + 1 short/med
-19.3b
-partner
whiteboards

W3
1 L + 1 med/long
-19.3d
- foldable on different types of
radioactivity/Colorado phet

W6
tes
t
-

Demo/Lab/Project
1. Debate/Discussion/Essay
Materials Needed:

_ (1)
_ ()

Essential Questions: Why should we heed caution around radioactive materials?

Why are atoms so difficult to break? What happens if you break an atom apart? Why
are some materials radioactive while others are not? What role does radioactivity
play in the study of energy? How can radioactivity be used to advance other fields?
How can radioactivity be used to advance human civilization?
Learning Goals

Students can determine the likelihood of any specific atom being radioactive
Students can distinguish between nuclear fusion, nuclear fission, and
radioactive decay

Length of time: 4 weeks

Possible Worksheets:

Kagan Science: Nuclear Energy Agree-Disagree Line-Ups (p. 210),

HLTQ Chemistry: Nuclear Chemistry Question Starters (p. 126), Nuclear

Chemistry Question Starters (p. 130)
Kagan Chemistry: Nuclear Energy Flip Debate (p. 97)
100 Reproducible Activities: Nuclear Decay (p. 34), Half-Life of Radioactive
Isotopes (p. 35)
Other: Radioactive Emission (Clendenon),

DAT
E
M,

WEE
K
1.1

Tu,

1.2

W,

1.3

Th,

1.4

F,

1.5

M,
Tu,

2.1
2.2

W,

2.3

Th,

2.4

And so on

BOO
K
19.1
a

TOPIC

ACTIVITIES

radioactive
decay

19.3
a

nuclear
energy

-unit starter
(10)
-notes 34
-vts or visual
literacy
-practice 34
-notes 34
-practice 34
-notes 34
-notes 35
-video 34-35
-standard
quiz
-

19.3
b
19.3
d

nuclear
fission
nuclear
fusion

-throwback
-practice 35
-notes 36
-practice 36
-notes 37
-partner
whiteboards
-team quiz

HOMEWORK

-read and summarize a section

from the book that I wont lecture
on