Subject: Chemistry Unit of Study: Radioactivity Grade/Level: 10-11
Introduction:
Students will view primary photographs of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan during World War II. They will research the science behind the atomic bomb and the effects of radiation on the area. Students will view primary documents written by scientists about the use of nuclear weapons and discuss the use of the atomic bomb from a scientist's perspective. Lastly, students will then look at their own annual levels of radiation and discuss ways to limit their exposure to ionizing radiation.
Standards:
This lesson is aligned with New Jersey Next Generation Science Standards.
HS-PS1-8. Develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.
This lesson is aligned with New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
NJSLSA.R2. Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
NJSLSA.R9. Analyze and reflect on how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.
RI.9-10.3. Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them.
Objectives:
Students will view and discuss primary source photographs of the atomic bombs.
Students will read primary source documents and compare/contrast the view points of the authors.
Students will draw conclusions based on primary documents and support their writing with evidence from the text.
Students will compare the effects of natural and man-made radiation.
Students will reflect on how to limit their yearly exposure to ionizing radiation.
Materials:
Chromebook or personal device with internet access
Activity 1: Using Primary Sources to Learn about the Use of the Atomic Bomb
Students will begin by viewing the pictures below from DocsTeach depicting the aftermath of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing during World War II. Pictures can be clicked to see enlarged versions on the DocsTeach website.
Students can be encouraged to think about and discuss the following questions:
What do you feel when looking at the pictures?
Does anything about the photographs surprise you?
What do you think the photographers are trying to convey with these images?
What effects did the bombs appear to have on the surrounding environment?
View of the City of Hiroshima After the Atomic Bomb
Photograph of Hiroshima after Atomic Bomb
Atomic Cloud Rises Over Nagasaki, Japan
After viewing the pictures and having a class discussion, students will research the chemistry behind the atomic bombs. They should compare and contrast the nuclear weapons dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Students will submit a written response that answers:
Were the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki identical?
What similarities did they have?
How were they different?
What is the basic chemistry behind the atomic bombs?
Students will also read the petition sent to President Truman by scientists warning about the use of the atomic bomb against Japan. Encourage students to view the use of the atomic bomb from a scientist's perspective. Students will submit a written response that answers:
Why would scientists have been opposed to the use of the atomic bomb?
What are some short and long term effects associated with the use of nuclear weapons?
Based on Einstein's letter, do you think he would have agreed or disagreed with the scientists that signed the petition?
What could have prompted Einstein to write this letter to President Roosevelt?
Petition from Leo Szilard and Other Scientists to President Harry S. Truman
Activity 2: Using Google Maps to Estimate Your Annual Radiation Dosage
After learning about the effects of radiation from the use of the atomic bomb, students will calculate the amount of ionizing radiation that they are exposed to yearly in the Estimate Your Annual Radiation Activity. Explain to students that they will learn how radiation can come from both natural and man-made sources.
Using Google Maps, students will complete the following tasks:
Enter in their address to find out about some of the natural radiation sources associated with their location (elevation, region, etc).
Determine how many miles they fly annually and it's corresponding radiation.
Determine their proximity to nuclear power plants across the United States.
Students will also explore how lifestyle choices and medical procedures also impact their annual radiation dosage.
The amount of radiation resulting from each task/section will be totaled at the end and students can compare their estimated dosage with the national average.
The lesson will conclude with students reflecting on what aspects make the biggest impact on their radiation dosage and discuss what lifestyle changes can be made to limit this amount.