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SUMMARY

KEY INFORMATION

Students will take on the role of an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspector that is tasked with determining whether Iran is in violation of the newly signed Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, more commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal or Agreement. They will do this by investigating a specific Iranian site for evidence of prohibited radioisotopes using their knowledge of nuclear decay processes and half-lives. They will then use what they learned to write an informative report that concludes whether or not Iran is in violation of the agreement. They will also create and use poster-sized models of the relevant nuclear processes to support the explanations in their reports and will present their findings to the United Nations (classmates).

GRADE
HS Chemistry

TOPIC
Nuclear Processes

LESSONS
Download

DURATION
4 Days

INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL
Inquiry / 5E

AUTHOR(S)
Angel Ballard, Eastern HS

RESOURCES

The lessons for this Cornerstone require the resources listed below. More information regarding the use of each of the resources can be located in the Cornerstone lesson plans.

TEXTS AND WEBSITES

Discovery Education: Nuclear Chemistry Links to an external site.

Iran's Nuclear Deal Links to an external site.

Video: Is Radiation Dangerous? Links to an external site.

SUPPLIES & TECHNOLOGY

Computers with internet access

Pompoms

Markers

CURRICULUM INTEGRATION

Cornerstones are relevant, rigorous, and aligned to national learning standards. Use the tabs below to learn more about aligning to standards, embedding the Cornerstone in your unit of study, and preparing to teach the Cornerstones.

STANDARDS

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. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on simple qualitative models, such as pictures or diagrams, and on the scale of energy released in nuclear processes relative to other kinds of transformations.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include quantitative calculation of energy released and is limited to alpha, beta, and gamma radioactive decays.]

Science and Engineering Practices

Developing and Using Models: Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the relationships between systems or between components of a system. (HS-PS1-8)

Obtaining, Evaluation, and communicating Information: Evaluate the validity and reliability of multiple claims that appear in scientific and technical texts or media reports, verifying the data when possible. (HS-PS4-4)

Crosscutting Concepts

Energy and Matter: In nuclear processes, atoms are not conserved, but the total number of protons plus neutrons is conserved.(HS- 19 PS1-8)

Cause and Effect: Cause and effect relationships can be suggested and predicted for complex natural and human designed systems by examining what is known about smaller-scale mechanism within the system. (HS-PS4-4)

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXTENSIONS

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

Students may have heard of nuclear energy but may not know about its different uses and potential applications. They should have already been taught how to write nuclear reactions for alpha, beta, and gamma decay series. They will need to have reinforcement of key vocabulary.

isotope
fusion
fission
decay series
alpha particle/radiation
beta particle/radiation
gamma ray/radiation
half-life
nuclide
nuclear reaction
radioactive
transmutation

PLACEMENT

BEFORE

Students should have explored PS1-1. They should have a working knowledge of atomic structure (Unit 4). This activity should be used as a culminating investigation at the end of Unit 5.

DURING

Students will understand:

Radioactive decay may change atoms into different elements over time and an atom’s stability is based on the ratio of neutrons to protons in the nucleus.

Students will be able to:

Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during nuclear processes.

AFTER

Students will apply understanding to use technology to create solutions to complex, real-world problems.

PLANNING

Students will apply their understanding of the atomic structure unit and use their understanding of nuclear processes to conduct research, create a fission model, and complete nuclear reaction decay series for the radioisotopes at their assigned sites. They will then use the combined information to write and present a report that concludes whether or not Iran is in violation of the signed Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal.

INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH

The task is divided into four 80-minute lessons. The lesson sequence is described in terms of a 5E lesson plan. The 5E lesson plan format is designed to guide students through an exploration of scientific phenomena and inquiry learning. It is important to note that a 5E lesson sequence does not need to address all 5 components but should reflect a sequence of activities that engage students, allow opportunities to explore new concepts, and explain them. They dive deeper by elaborating on the concept and applying the crosscutting concepts (these need to be explicitly addressed to ensure that students internalize their importance). Finally students evaluate their progress, understanding and designs. To truly address the complexity of this concept, students will need 2-3 days to progress through the 5E components. Beginning each new lesson with an engage activity can help to generate interest and reflect on previous lessons.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

LESSON PACING

Below is a recommended pacing for this Cornerstone and the objective for each lesson. More information regarding each lesson can be located in the Cornerstone lesson plans.

LESSON	OBJECTIVE
Lesson 1	Students will complete 'Tweet Tweet' introduction activity, task analysis, and research
Lesson 2	Students will create models of the relevant nuclear process at their site (fission). They will also write the decay series for each allowed radioisotope and prohibited radioisotope using the technical sheet for their assigned site.
Lesson 3	Students will draft report outlines, engage in peer review, and revise.
Lesson 4	Students will peer review reports, revise their own, and present their conclusions.

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