Science
Mission Objectives
Describe the properties of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. These include their range in air, their penetrating power, and their ionising power
Explain the use of alpha, beta and gamma radiation in terms of the properties
Apply their knowledge to the uses of radiation and evaluate the best sources of radiation to use in a given situation
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Words and meanings to learn
uranium-238
the most common isotope of uranium found in nature, with a relative abundance of 99%
polonium-210
a very rare radioactive isotope; before Marie Curie's discovery of polonium in 1898, uranium and thorium were the only known radioactive elements
iodine
a chemical element with the symbol I and atomic number 53
lead-205
an unstable isotope of lead that decays by emitting radiation
bismuth-209
the isotope of bismuth with the longest known half-life of any radioisotope that undergoes α-decay
Resources: Class presentation and the handout.
Handout: Read and summarise the key science in terms of the history of the discovery of radioactivity. Describe and explain the properties of alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays in terms of penetration, ionisation and distance travelled. Apply knowledge to explore the uses of radiation in carbon dating and smoke detectors. Describe how losing an alpha or beta particle changes the structure of an atom.
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