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Science lesson plan · 11th grade (Year 12 in England) · 30 minutes

Nuclear fission and fusion

Atoms, elements and the periodic table

CCSS NGSS.HS-PS1-8CCSS NGSS.HS-ESS1-1England: GCSE Physics: Atomic structure (nuclear fission and fusion)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Nuclear fission and fusion.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Alpha, beta and gamma radiation

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Periodic tables, Atom model kits, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Alpha, beta and gamma radiation). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which type of radiation: no charge and no mass? (alpha (α) / beta (β) / gamma (γ)) → gamma (γ)Prompt: The more ionising the radiation, the less penetrating it is.
  2. What is the difference between irradiation and contamination? (Irradiation makes objects radioactive / Irradiation is exposure to radiation; contamination is radioactive atoms getting onto or into something / Contamination is always harmless / They mean the same) → Irradiation is exposure to radiation; contamination is radioactive atoms getting onto or into somethingPrompt: Which one leaves radioactive material behind?
  3. Nuclear radiation: which statement is NOT true? (Alpha radiation is the most dangerous if the source is inside the body. / Beta particles are helium nuclei. / Radioactive decay is random. / Background radiation comes from natural and man-made sources.) → Beta particles are helium nuclei.Prompt: Which radiation needs lead to stop it?

Hook · 3 min

  • Show the periodic table and ask what patterns students can see before anything is explained.
  • Share the objective: Nuclear fission and fusion. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Fission or fusion: used in today's nuclear power stations?
  • Step 1: Fission splits a large nucleus into two smaller ones, releasing neutrons and energy.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: fission
  • Answer: fission
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Fission or fusion: can cause a chain reaction? (fission / fusion) → fissionPrompt: Fission splits; fusion joins.
  2. What starts a chain reaction in uranium-235? (heat melting the fuel / neutrons released by one fission go on to cause more fissions / electrons jumping between atoms / gamma rays splitting protons) → neutrons released by one fission go on to cause more fissionsPrompt: Each fission releases two or three neutrons.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. What starts a chain reaction in uranium-235? (heat melting the fuel / gamma rays splitting protons / neutrons released by one fission go on to cause more fissions / electrons jumping between atoms) → neutrons released by one fission go on to cause more fissionsPrompt: Each fission releases two or three neutrons.
  2. Fission and fusion: which statement is NOT true? (Fission products are usually radioactive. / A nuclear reactor uses a moderator to slow neutrons down. / Fusion releases energy in the Sun. / Today's nuclear power stations use fusion.) → Today's nuclear power stations use fusion.Prompt: Which process do working power stations use?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Alpha, beta and gamma radiation.
  • Use concrete materials: periodic tables.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-11.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Nuclear fission and fusion

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Fission or fusion: hydrogen nuclei join to form helium?

    • A. fission
    • B. fusion

  2. Question 2

    What starts a chain reaction in uranium-235?

    • A. neutrons released by one fission go on to cause more fissions
    • B. gamma rays splitting protons
    • C. heat melting the fuel
    • D. electrons jumping between atoms

  3. Question 3

    Fission and fusion: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. A nuclear reactor uses a moderator to slow neutrons down.
    • B. Both fission and fusion convert a small amount of mass into energy.
    • C. Fusion releases energy in the Sun.
    • D. Today's nuclear power stations use fusion.

  4. Question 4

    Fission or fusion: needs extremely high temperature and pressure?

    • A. fission
    • B. fusion

  5. Question 5

    In 2022 a US laser facility (the National Ignition Facility) reported a fusion milestone. What was it?

    • A. more fusion energy came out of the fuel than the laser energy delivered to it
    • B. uranium was fused into gold
    • C. fusion was achieved at room temperature
    • D. a fusion power station started supplying homes

  6. Question 6

    How are control rods used in a fission reactor?

    • A. They speed up all the neutrons
    • B. They cool the steam
    • C. They absorb neutrons to control the rate of the chain reaction
    • D. They produce electricity directly

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Answer key: Nuclear fission and fusion

  1. 1. B. fusion

  2. 2. A. neutrons released by one fission go on to cause more fissions

  3. 3. D. Today's nuclear power stations use fusion.

  4. 4. B. fusion

  5. 5. A. more fusion energy came out of the fuel than the laser energy delivered to it

  6. 6. C. They absorb neutrons to control the rate of the chain reaction