Conceptual understanding: changing the form and structure of a nucleus brings new technologies and challenges for humanity.

Global context: time, place, and space - the timings of new discoveries and ideas often relate to developments in other areas of science, with a focus on the historical narrative.

Strand 1: the changing atom

• The scientific model of matter has evolved over time with new technologies and discoveries.

Inquiry questions:

How has the evidence, on which our particle model is built, changed? (F)

How has our basis for reasoning changed? (D)

Strand 2: properties of nuclear decay

• Mass does not need to be conserved in nuclear reactions.

• Charge can be moved but is conserved in an isolated system.

• Energy can be transformed but is conserved in an isolated system.

• The type of decay (transformation) indicates whether radioactive emissions will be dangerous and/or useful?

Inquiry questions:

How does radiation cause cancer? (F)

Why do some nuclei emit nuclear radiation? (F)

How can changing the make-up of a nucleus release energy? (F)

Which properties make nuclear emissions useful or dangerous? (F)

What are the future possibilities for nuclear power? (C)

At which point can we no longer break down particles? (C)

How long/many times can you continue to split matter? (C)

Is nuclear power the answer to our sustainable energy needs? (D)

Approaches to Learning:

Communication - Use and interpret a range of discipline-specific terms and symbols (focus on decay equations)

Thinking - Transfer - Apply skills and knowledge in unfamiliar situations (focus on uses of radioactive isotopes)