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Science lesson plan · 11th grade (Year 12 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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: stopped by a few mm of aluminium? (alpha (α) / beta (β) / gamma (γ)) → beta (β)Prompt: The more ionising the radiation, the less penetrating it is.
  2. Why are gamma rays used to sterilise medical equipment in sealed packs? (They are stopped by plastic / They make the equipment radioactive / They heat the equipment to 1000 °C / They pass through the packaging and kill microbes) → They pass through the packaging and kill microbesPrompt: Gamma is very penetrating.
  3. Nuclear radiation: which statement is NOT true? (Background radiation comes from natural and man-made sources. / Alpha radiation is the most dangerous if the source is inside the body. / Radioactive decay is random. / Beta particles are helium nuclei.) → Beta particles are helium nuclei.Prompt: Which radiation needs lead to stop it?

Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 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: used in today's nuclear power stations? (fission / fusion) → fissionPrompt: Fission splits; fusion joins.
  2. What starts a chain reaction in uranium-235? (neutrons released by one fission go on to cause more fissions / heat melting the fuel / gamma rays splitting protons / electrons jumping between atoms) → neutrons released by one fission go on to cause more fissionsPrompt: Each fission releases two or three neutrons.

You do: independent practice · 17 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Fission or fusion: needs extremely high temperature and pressure? (fission / fusion) → fusionPrompt: Fission splits; fusion joins.
  2. Fission and fusion: which statement is NOT true? (Today's nuclear power stations use fusion. / Fission products are usually radioactive. / A nuclear reactor uses a moderator to slow neutrons down. / Both fission and fusion convert a small amount of mass into energy.) → 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/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Fission or fusion: a uranium-235 nucleus splits after absorbing a neutron?

    • A. fission
    • B. fusion

  2. Question 2

    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. fusion was achieved at room temperature
    • C. a fusion power station started supplying homes
    • D. uranium was fused into gold

  3. Question 3

    Fission and fusion: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. Fusion releases energy in the Sun.
    • B. Today's nuclear power stations use fusion.
    • C. A nuclear reactor uses a moderator to slow neutrons down.
    • D. Fission products are usually radioactive.

  4. Question 4

    Fission or fusion: can cause a chain reaction?

    • A. fission
    • B. fusion

  5. Question 5

    Why is fusion so hard to achieve on Earth?

    • A. Nuclei repel each other, so extremely high temperatures and pressures are needed
    • B. Fusion releases no energy
    • C. Fusion only works with uranium
    • D. There is no hydrogen on Earth

  6. Question 6

    Fission or fusion: used in today's nuclear power stations?

    • A. fission
    • B. fusion

  7. Question 7

    What starts a chain reaction in uranium-235?

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

  8. Question 8

    Fission or fusion: needs extremely high temperature and pressure?

    • A. fission
    • B. fusion

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Answer key: Nuclear fission and fusion

  1. 1. A. fission

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

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

  4. 4. A. fission

  5. 5. A. Nuclei repel each other, so extremely high temperatures and pressures are needed

  6. 6. A. fission

  7. 7. C. neutrons released by one fission go on to cause more fissions

  8. 8. B. fusion