Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Topic P6 REVISION (Radioactivity)

This is a fully-resourced revision lesson that uses a combination of exam questions, understanding checks, quick tasks and quiz competitions to enable students to assess their understanding of the content found within Topic P6 (Radioactivity) of the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science specification.

The sub-topics and specification points that are tested within the lesson include:

• Describe the structure of an atom, including the charge and mass of the subatomic particles
• Describe the structure of nuclei of isotopes
• Be able to explain why an atom is neutral
• Recall the radiation that can be emitted from an unstable nucleus
• Explain what is meant by background radiation and know the origins of this radiation
• Recall that an alpha particle is equivalent to a helium nucleus
• Compare alpha, beta and gamma radiations in terms of their abilities to penetrate and ionise
• Describe the processes of beta plus and beta minus decay
• Explain the effects on the atomic and mass number of radioactive decays
• Balance nuclear decay equations
• Recall that the unit of activity of a radioactive isotope is the Becquerel
• Use the concept of half life to carry out simple calculations
• Describe the differences between contamination and irradiation

Students will be engaged through the numerous quiz rounds whilst crucially being able to recognise those areas which require their further attention during general revision or during the lead up to the actual GCSE terminal exams