Mississippi Science PHS.4.5
The Standard
- PHS.4
- Students will analyze changes in matter and the relationship of these changes to the law of conservation of matter and energy.
Research nuclear reactions and their uses in the modern world, exploring concepts such as fusion, fission, stars as reactors, nuclear energy, and chain reactions.
2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · The Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students research how fission and fusion work. They explain how fusion powers stars, how a fission chain reaction works, and how people use nuclear reactions.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can draw a fission chain reaction and show where neutrons go. They can explain why stars use fusion while current nuclear power plants use fission, using evidence from reliable sources.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think nuclear power plants use fusion, like the Sun. They may think every chain reaction grows without stopping. Some think mass vanishes during a nuclear reaction, rather than being converted to energy.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Draw two steps of a fission chain reaction and label the neutrons. Then name one way it differs from fusion in stars and one current use of nuclear reactions.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Use uranium index cards and bean neutrons; each hit releases two more beans, then add paper control rods to catch them.
Give students NASA and EIA fact sheets; ask for a four-sentence comparison of fusion in stars and fission in power plants.
Sort cards labeled 'splits heavy nucleus,' 'joins light nuclei,' 'powers stars,' and 'powers current nuclear plants' into fission or fusion.
Use an EIA nuclear plant diagram to trace how fission heat becomes electricity for a home.
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Printable PHS.4.5 Worksheet
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Related Standards
- PHS.4.6
Analyze and debate the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear reactions as energy sources.
- ESS.1A.4
Research and explain how nuclear fusion in stars and supernova lead to the formation of all other elements.
- PHY.6
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of nuclear energy.
- PHY.6.1
Analyze and explain the concepts of nuclear physics.
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