Lesson Plan: Alpha Decay Physics
This lesson plan includes the objectives, prerequisites, and exclusions of the lesson teaching students how to solve nuclear equations involving alpha decay.
Objectives
Students will be able to
- recall that an alpha particle contains two protons and two neutrons,
- recall that an alpha particle has a relative charge of +2,
- recall by how much the atomic number and mass number of a nucleus change when it undergoes alpha decay,
- describe alpha decay in words,
- complete and write nuclear equations involving alpha decay,
- interpret isotope graphs showing alpha decay.
Prerequisites
Students should already be familiar with
- the composition of atoms,
- electric charge.
Exclusions
Students will not cover
- beta decay,
- gamma decay,
- cluster decay,
- proton emission,
- neutron emission,
- the half-life,
- calculations of decay rates,
- the dangers of radiation,
- medical or industrial applications of radiation.