Radioactivity and particles REVISION (Edexcel IGCSE Physics Topic 7)

This is a detailed and engaging REVISION lesson which is fully-resourced and uses a range of exam questions, understanding checks, quick tasks and quiz competitions to enable students to assess their understanding of the content within topic 7 (Radioactivity and particles) of the Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Physics 9-1 specification (4PH1) for first assessment in June 2019.

The specification points that are covered in this revision lesson include:

• Use the following units: becquerel (Bq), centimetre (cm), hour (h), minute (min) and second (s)
• Describe the structure of an atom in terms of protons, neutrons and electrons and use symbols to represent isotopes
• Know the terms atomic (proton) number, mass (nucleon) number and isotope
• Know that alpha (α) particles, beta (β−) particles, and gamma (γ) rays are ionising radiations emitted from unstable nuclei in a random process
• Describe the nature of alpha (α) particles, beta (β−) particles, and gamma (γ) rays, and recall that they may be distinguished in terms of penetrating power and ability to ionise
• Describe the effects on the atomic and mass numbers of a nucleus of the emission of each types of radiation
• Understand how to balance nuclear equations in terms of mass and charge
• Know that the activity of a radioactive source decreases over a period of time and is measured in becquerels
• Know the definition of the term half-life and understand that it is different for different radioactive isotopes
• Use the concept of the half-life to carry out simple calculations on activity
• Know that nuclear reactions, including fission, fusion and radioactive decay, can be a source of energy
• Understand how a nucleus of U-235 can be split (the process of fission) by collision with a neutron, and that this process releases energy as kinetic energy of the fission products
• Know that the fission of U-235 produces two radioactive daughter nuclei and a small number of neutrons
• Describe how a chain reaction can be set up if the neutrons produced by one fission strike other U-235 nuclei
• Explain the difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission
• Describe nuclear fusion as the creation of larger nuclei resulting in a loss of mass from smaller nuclei, accompanied by a release of energy
• Know that fusion is the energy source for stars

The students will thoroughly enjoy the range of activities, which include quiz competitions such as “It’s as easy as ABG” where they have to compete to be the 1st to form a word by using clues about the different types of radiation whilst all the time evaluating and assessing which areas of this topic will need their further attention. This lesson can be used as revision resource at the end of the topic or in the lead up to mocks or the actual International GCSE exams