Radioactivity

The scene lets students explore a nuclear fallout zone. Here the student can observe radioactive decay and compare the emission of the three types of radiation and how extensive they are.

# Learning objectives

1: Be able to describe Radioactive decay{.info}

2: Be able to compare alpha, beta and gamma radiation{.info}

# Alpha Radiation{.objective .objective1}

In this section, a description of Alpha radiation will be provided. Students will learn about how isotopes of elements have unstable atoms and emit radiation. They will develop knowledge of alpha decay and how atoms produce alpha particles, which are the largest, heaviest and most ionising.

# Beta Radiation{.objective .objective2}

In this section, a description of Beta radiation will be provided. Students will learn about how neutrons decay to produce protons and electrons. Here they will learn how electrons are lost to emit beta particles which are lighter and faster than alpha particles, but less ionising.

# Gamma radiation{.objective .objective3}

Students will learn about how some forms of radiation are emitted as energy waves, such as Gamma radiation. Atoms that decay will emit energy as shortwave length waves and travel greater distances than particle based radioactive decay. As such, they pass through most materials and do most damage to substances around them.

# Teacher Resources

### Download Teacher Notes

[](https://data.avncloud.com/activities/794129/files/Radioactivity%20Teacher+Notes+Only.pdf?date=1677576783&size=1038580&md5=633895e7380ba4a0aaa7165fc96dfc9e)

### Student Quiz Answers Document

[](https://data.avncloud.com/activities/794130/files/Radioactivity%20Quiz+Answers.pdf?date=1677576874&size=573897&md5=c7bbfeb486bd3bf69176f5be42476aa8)

### Download Student Quiz Document

[](https://data.avncloud.com/activities/794131/files/Radioactivity%20Quiz+Only.pdf?date=1677576969&size=94805&md5=12fd34aa763ea06065da920ea5557b82)