SHS1 Physics · Semester 2 Week 19: Nuclear Physics

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 1.4.2.LI.2

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Define radioactivity as the spontaneous disintegration of an unstable nucleus with the emission of radiation.
Identify the three main types of radioactive emissions (alpha, beta, and gamma) and their basic properties.
Distinguish between radioactive substances and non-radioactive substances.
Describe, using a simulation or diagram, how a radioactive substance undergoes decay over time.
Discuss the contributions of key individuals, including women, to the discovery and development of radioactivity as a field of physics.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Atomic and Nuclear Physics (Strand 4)
Sub-strand: Nuclear Physics (4.2)
Content standard: 1.4.2.CS.1 - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nucleus of an atom. 1.4.2.LO.1 Explain the factors that account for the stability of the nucleus.
Indicator: 1.4.2.LI.2 - Explain radioactivity.
Suggested placement: Semester 2, Week 19 (Week 39 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Source document note: The official curriculum document has a fault in this entry, so the curriculum text above is transcribed exactly as printed:

indicator text - p.83: the document prints this learning indicator code as 1.4.2.LI.1.2
exemplars - p.83: the document prints this assessment code as 1.4.2.AS.1.2
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 83

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Talk for Learning: Using simulations lets learners describe how radioactive substances undergo radioactive decay as well as the type of emissions given out during radioactive decay.
Investigate and discuss the historical and contemporary contributions of individuals, including women and individuals with disabilities, to the development of physics.
Assessment (1.4.2.AS.2). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 1 Recall.
Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Videos
- PhET interactive simulations
- Projectors
- Audio-visuals
- Atomic activity model