Mississippi Science PHY.6

PHY.6 is a cluster heading. These are the individual standards under it.

• PHY.6.1

  Analyze and explain the concepts of nuclear physics.

• PHY.6.2

  Explore the mass number and atomic number of the nucleus of an isotope of a given chemical element.

• PHY.6.3

  Investigate the conservation of mass and the conservation of charge by writing and balancing nuclear decay equations for alpha and beta decay.

• PHY.6.4

  Simulate the process of nuclear decay using online simulations and/or laboratory experiences and using mathematical computations determine the half-life of radi...

01

What Students Need to Do

Students use isotope symbols to count protons and neutrons. They balance alpha and beta decay equations by tracking mass number and charge. They explain how nuclear changes release energy and use half-life to predict how much material remains.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Given uranium-238, students identify 92 protons and 146 neutrons and write thorium-234 as its alpha decay product. They know beta-minus decay leaves the mass number unchanged and raises the daughter’s atomic number by one. They calculate that 8 mg becomes 2 mg after two half-lives.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may mistake mass number for neutron count or think alpha decay changes only the atomic number. Some lower the mass number during beta-minus decay. Others subtract the same amount each half-life instead of halving what remains.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: Radon-222 has 86 protons and a 3.8-day half-life. Find its neutron count, write its alpha decay equation, and calculate how much of an 8 mg sample remains after 7.6 days.

1. 01

   Give pairs 40 coins to flip, remove heads after each round, and graph the coins left to model radioactive decay.

2. 02

   Show a fission diagram and ask students to write where the released energy comes from and what stays conserved.

3. 03

   Hand out incomplete alpha and beta decay equation cards; students fill in missing nuclei and check both numbers on each side.

4. 04

   Use an americium-241 smoke detector fact sheet to identify its alpha decay product and discuss why the source stays sealed.

• P.4.6A

  Students will demonstrate an understanding of the common sources and uses of heat and electric energy and the materials used to transfer heat and electricity.

• PHY.3

  Students will develop an understanding of concepts related to work and energy.

• CHE.2

  Students will demonstrate an understanding of the atomic structure and the historical developments leading to modern atomic theory.

• P.2.5

  Students will demonstrate an understanding of the properties of matter.