NEW AQA GCSE (2016) Physics - Radioactive Decay

This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Physics GCSE, particularly the ‘Radioactivity’ SoW.

For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience

This lesson begins with an image of two atoms - one with less neutrons in the nucleus and one with more. Students are asked to ‘Think > Pair > Share’ their ideas about what make the atoms different from one another.

Next, students will be given a set of questions which they will need to answer whilst watching a video. The students will complete this task and once finished they will be able to mark their work using a the mark scheme that is provided on the PowerPoint presentation.

Students are now introduced to the idea of radioactive decay, students will be shown another video about ionising radiation. They will need to answer a set of questions whilst watching the video, the work can be self-assessed using the mark scheme available.

The latter part of the lesson focuses on the properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation. Posters of information will be posted around the room, students will need to read this information and use this to answer a set of questions. The mark scheme is included so students can mark and correct their work.

The last task requires students to determine the number of protons and neutrons found within radioactive sources which have undergone alpha/beta decay. Students can then mark their work once it is complete.

The plenary task is for students to write a twitter message to demonstrate what they have learned today, making sure they #keywords.

All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)