The lesson begins with artificial transmutations and particle accelerators. Then, the lesson moves into nuclear power and nuclear waste. Students will learn how a nuclear power plant works, and compare nuclear power to hydroelectric power and coal burning power.
Once we have discussed nuclear power, students are ready to identify fission and fusion and the differences between both of these types of nuclear reactions.
This lesson is full of a lot of discussion points, and students seem to really get involved in the subject. For most students, they have not encountered nuclear power before.
Embedded in the PowerPoint are five short videos that are both informative and interesting.
Lesson Objectives:
* Define nuclear fission, chain reaction, and nuclear fusion and distinguish between them.
* Describe how a fission reaction is used in a nuclear power plant
* Discuss nuclear waste and current problems in the storage of nuclear waste
* Compare nuclear power, hydroelectric power, and coal power (chemical reaction)
* Diagram and write an equation for fission
* Diagram and write an equation for fusion.
* Compare the benefits and drawbacks of fission and fusion
NGSS:
HS-PS1-8: Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.
SEP: Developing and using models
PS1.C: Nuclear Processes
Nuclear processes, including fusion, fission, and radioactive decays of unstable nuclei, involve release or absorption of energy. The total number of neutrons plus protons does not change in any nuclear process.
Prior Knowledge:
Basic understanding of radioactivity, types of radioactive decay, and the symbols of radioactive particles
Writing nuclear equations
Lesson Duration: 1 class period depending on discussion
Included in This Resource:
* PowerPoint Presentation – Editable& Animated (with 5 embedded videos)
* Student Notes – Cloze Notes
* Student Notes – Blank
* Student Notes Suggested KEY
* Exit Ticket – Check for Understanding w/ KEY
* Homework w/ KEY (differentiated for Honors & Standard)
* Teacher Notes (4 pages full of some great background info and reference resources for you and your curious students)
Teacher Prep Time: just print and go!
Note on the PowerPoints: The PowerPoints included in this product are editable. They are also animated, which means that they may appear busy or overlapping in the slide edit mode, but will be awesome in the slide show mode! Please don’t edit the PowerPoints until you have seen them in the slide show mode!
This lesson is appropriate for grades 9-12 chemistry
This will be a lesson you will want to use year after year!
Chemistry Corner
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Chemistry Doodle Notes for the Year: A Growing Bundle
High School Chemistry Year Curriculum
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