NC Standards
PSc.2.3 Understand the role of the nucleus in radiation and radioactivity.
PSc.2.3.1 Compare nuclear reactions including: alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay; nuclear fusion and nuclear fission. •Compare the characteristics of alpha and beta particles and gamma rays – composition, mass, penetrability.
•Compare alpha, beta, and gamma decay processes –alpha decay reduces the mass of an atom by 4 and the atomic number by 2; beta decay
increases the atomic number by 1 (a neutron decays into a proton and electron); gamma rays are electromagnetic waves released from the
nucleus along with either an alpha or beta particle.
•Compare the processes of fission (splitting of a very large atom) and fusion (joining of atoms) in terms of conditions required for
occurrence, energy released, and the nature of products.PSc.2.3.2 Exemplify the radioactive decay of unstable nuclei using the concept of half-lif
•Conceptually explain half-life using models.
•Perform simple half-life calculations based on an isotope’s half-life value, time of decay, and/or amount of substance.
PSc.2.3.1 Compare nuclear reactions including: alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay; nuclear fusion and nuclear fission. •Compare the characteristics of alpha and beta particles and gamma rays – composition, mass, penetrability.
•Compare alpha, beta, and gamma decay processes –alpha decay reduces the mass of an atom by 4 and the atomic number by 2; beta decay
increases the atomic number by 1 (a neutron decays into a proton and electron); gamma rays are electromagnetic waves released from the
nucleus along with either an alpha or beta particle.
•Compare the processes of fission (splitting of a very large atom) and fusion (joining of atoms) in terms of conditions required for
occurrence, energy released, and the nature of products.PSc.2.3.2 Exemplify the radioactive decay of unstable nuclei using the concept of half-lif
•Conceptually explain half-life using models.
•Perform simple half-life calculations based on an isotope’s half-life value, time of decay, and/or amount of substance.
Vocabulary
radioactive
radioactive decay
alpha decay
beta decay
gamma decay
fission
fusion
half-life
radioactive decay
alpha decay
beta decay
gamma decay
fission
fusion
half-life
Radioactive Decay
Learning Target(s)
Khan Academy: Radioactive Decay Types Article
Fission vs. Fusion
Learning Target(s)
Half-Life
Learning Target(s)
https://www.quora.com/Where-is-the-concept-of-half-life-applied