SHS1 Physics · Semester 2 Week 20: Nuclear Physics

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Write and balance basic nuclear reactions, including alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma emission, using proper notation for atomic number (Z), mass number (A), and the symbols of particles involved.
Apply the conservation of mass number and the conservation of atomic number to check whether a given nuclear equation is balanced.
Determine the missing particle, nuclide, or energy term in a nuclear equation when given all other components.
Distinguish between balanced chemical equations and balanced nuclear equations, explaining why the conservation laws differ.
Work collaboratively in pairs or groups to verify and critique balanced nuclear reactions, providing reasoned justifications for each step.

Indicator: 1.4.2.LI.3 - Balance basic nuclear reactions.

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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.3 - Balance basic nuclear reactions.
Suggested placement: Semester 2, Week 20 (Week 40 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)

Think pair share: Guide learners to balance nuclear reactions.
Foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Assessment (1.4.2.AS.3). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 2 Skills of conceptual understanding.
Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Videos
- PhET interactive simulations
- Projectors
- Audio-visuals
- Atomic activity model