Chemistry in Search of Evidence
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Write down a selected isotope. This will serve as the basis for the following exercises and the analysis to determine the age.
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Description
Objective: This worksheet uses a fictional criminal case to introduce students to the basics of nuclear chemistry and atomic structure in a playful way. Students examine β⁻ decay using the example of an isotope and learn to quantitatively determine atomic composition and radioactive decay processes based on atomic and mass numbers.
Content and Methods: The material is taught by combining contextual learning, tabular particle analyses, and mathematical methods for describing radioactive processes. The starting point is a fictional case file in which a laboratory investigation is used to develop fundamental questions about nuclear transformations and radiation. Building on this, the isotopes are analyzed in terms of their proton, neutron, and electron counts, and nuclear reaction equations and the principle of β⁻ decay are explored. This is supplemented by a quantitative evaluation of radioactive decay using half-life calculations to determine residual amounts and sample age, before students assess their understanding in a short, summary exit ticket.
Competencies:
- Subject-specific competence: Distinguishing between basic physical and chemical concepts (isotope, atomic number, mass number) and classifying nuclear transformations
- Scientific inquiry: Mathematical modeling of decay processes using half-life functions and deriving nuclear reaction equations
- Communication and Explanation Skills: Simplifying complex atomic processes to suit the audience
Target Audience and Level: Middle School
