Nuclear Chemistry
Overview/Rationale
In this unit students learn about the different types of nuclear radiation and determine why certain substances are radioactive. They write nuclear equations for nuclear transformations (decay) and analyze nuclear half-life. They then apply their understanding of radiation to fission and fusion. They continue their study of radioactive materials through discussion of cancer due to exposure to radiation and cancer treatments and medical diagnostics using radioactive isotopes.
Student Objectives
● Differentiate between the characteristics of the different types of radiation.
● Compare the effect of the different types of radiation on human tissue.
● Analyze the stability of atoms.
● Write nuclear equations for the different types of radioactive decay.
● Calculate the amount of radioactive material remaining using half-life analysis.
● Graph an exponential decay relationship.
● Compare and contrast fission versus fusion in terms of using this process as a source of energy.
● Research applications that use radioactive materials, such as medical imaging applications.
Vocabulary
Alpha particle, beta particle, gamma ray, Geiger counter, decay, nuclear equation, half-life, radiometric dating, radiation, stability, fission, fusion, radioisotope, transuranium elements, transmutation, background radiation.
Department Activities:
1. Half-life lab: Students gather half-life data by flipping pennies, then draw a graph of exponential decay. https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0XImXxS1gxJN2prLWNSd0Qxejg
2. Phet radioactive dating simulation: Activity to explore half-life and radiometric dating (carbon dating). https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0XImXxS1gxJd0w1ZU9SSG9CM28
Additional Activities:
3. Inverse-Square Relationships: Using a flashlight, students analyze the relationship between radiation intensity and the distance from the radiation source. https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0XImXxS1gxJTkFub2dsTTNyVDA
4. The making of the H bomb literacy activity.
Global Challenge: Research and analyze possible solutions for the storage and disposal of radioactive waste.