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Science lesson plan · 10th grade (Year 11 in England) · 45 minutes

Alpha, beta and gamma radiation

Atoms, elements and the periodic table

CCSS NGSS.HS-PS1-8England: GCSE Combined Science: Atomic structure (radioactivity)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Alpha, beta and gamma radiation.

  • 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: Atomic number, mass number and isotopes

Leads to: Half-life calculations; Balance alpha and beta decay equations; Nuclear fission and fusion

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

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Atomic number, mass number and isotopes). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. An atom of lithium is written ⁷₃Li (mass number 7, atomic number 3). How many protons does it have? → 3Prompt: Atomic number = number of protons (= electrons in a neutral atom).
  2. Chlorine has atomic number 17. How many neutrons are in the isotope chlorine-37? → 20Prompt: The number after the name is the mass number.
  3. An atom has 11 protons, 12 neutrons and 11 electrons. What is its mass number? (11 / 23 / 12 / 34) → 23Prompt: Mass number counts the particles in the nucleus.

Hook · 5 min

  • Show the periodic table and ask what patterns students can see before anything is explained.
  • Share the objective: Alpha, beta and gamma radiation. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Which type of radiation: a fast-moving electron from the nucleus?
  • Step 1: Beta particles are fast electrons from the nucleus: stopped by a few mm of aluminium.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: beta (β)
  • Answer: beta (β)
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 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. Which type of radiation: a helium nucleus? (alpha (α) / beta (β) / gamma (γ)) → alpha (α)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?

You do: independent practice · 10 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 · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Smoke detectors contain a source that emits alpha particles. Why alpha? (Alpha passes through walls / Alpha ionises the air strongly but is stopped by smoke and cannot leave the detector / Alpha has the longest range / Alpha is an electromagnetic wave) → Alpha ionises the air strongly but is stopped by smoke and cannot leave the detectorPrompt: Smoke blocks the particles, changing the current.
  2. 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.

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: Atomic number, mass number and isotopes.
  • 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

  • Move on to: Half-life calculations; Balance alpha and beta decay equations; Nuclear fission and fusion.
  • 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-10.

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

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Alpha, beta and gamma radiation

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    What is the difference between irradiation and contamination?

    • A. Irradiation is exposure to radiation; contamination is radioactive atoms getting onto or into something
    • B. Irradiation makes objects radioactive
    • C. Contamination is always harmless
    • D. They mean the same

  2. Question 2

    Nuclear radiation: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. We can predict exactly when a particular nucleus will decay.
    • B. Background radiation comes from natural and man-made sources.
    • C. Alpha radiation is the most dangerous if the source is inside the body.
    • D. Radioactive decay is random.

  3. Question 3

    Which type of radiation: range of only a few cm in air?

    • A. alpha (α)
    • B. beta (β)
    • C. gamma (γ)

  4. Question 4

    A factory checks the thickness of paper with radiation passing through it. Which type is best?

    • A. gamma
    • B. alpha
    • C. none: radiation cannot pass through paper
    • D. beta

  5. Question 5

    Which type of radiation: needs thick lead or concrete to reduce it?

    • A. alpha (α)
    • B. beta (β)
    • C. gamma (γ)

  6. Question 6

    Why are gamma rays used to sterilise medical equipment in sealed packs?

    • A. They are stopped by plastic
    • B. They pass through the packaging and kill microbes
    • C. They make the equipment radioactive
    • D. They heat the equipment to 1000 °C

  7. Question 7

    Which type of radiation: stopped by a sheet of paper?

    • A. alpha (α)
    • B. beta (β)
    • C. gamma (γ)

  8. Question 8

    Which type of radiation: no charge and no mass?

    • A. alpha (α)
    • B. beta (β)
    • C. gamma (γ)

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Answer key: Alpha, beta and gamma radiation

  1. 1. A. Irradiation is exposure to radiation; contamination is radioactive atoms getting onto or into something

  2. 2. A. We can predict exactly when a particular nucleus will decay.

  3. 3. A. alpha (α)

  4. 4. D. beta

  5. 5. C. gamma (γ)

  6. 6. B. They pass through the packaging and kill microbes

  7. 7. A. alpha (α)

  8. 8. C. gamma (γ)