Nuclear Chemistry

Unit Title: Nuclear Chemistry

Unit Goals:

Explore the nature and structure of the atomic nucleus with regard to its stability and decay.

Examine the sundry ways that nuclear changes affect daily life and the applications of radio-isotopes in various scientific fields.

Discover and thoroughly discuss the issues which surround the use of nuclear energy obtained from fission reactors.

Strengthen overall analytical thinking and communication skills by building and utilizing simulation models to predict a first order reaction, using the internet as a research tool, participating in group discovery and publicly presenting and defending a research based opinion.

Grade Level: 9-12

General Subject Area: Chemistry

Minimum time required for the unit: two weeks

Concepts learned across all unit modules:

Standards addressed across the unit:

Maryland State Department of Education High School Science Core Learning Goals

Goal/Expectation	Description
Goal 1	The student will demonstrate ways of thinking and acting inherent in the practice of science. The student will use the language and instruments of science to collect, organize, interpret, calculate, and communicate information.
1.1	The student will explain why curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism are highly regarded in science.
1.4	The student will demonstrate that data analysis is a vital aspect of the process of scientific inquiry and communication.
1.5	The student will use appropriate methods for communicating in writing and orally the processes and results of scientific investigation.
1.6	The student will use mathematical processes.
1.7	The student will show that connections exist both within the various fields of science and among science and other disciplines including mathematics, social studies, language arts, fine arts, and technology.
Goal 4	The student will demonstrate the ability to use scientific skills and processes to explain composition and interactions of matter in the world in which we live.
4.2	The student will explain that all matter has structure and the structure serves as the basis for the properties of and the changes in matter.
4.5	The student will investigate the impact of chemistry on society.

Technology needed in unit modules:

Internet, video, computer modeling software

Technology-enhanced instructional strategies employed:

Tele-research, modeling

Title of each module:

Module 1: What is the nucleus of an atom?

Unit culminating activity:

Oral presentation and defense of a research-based opinion

Unit author: Doria Hillsman

Unit contributors: Daniel Ku and Tina Peng