Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Nuclear Chemistry | Crash Course Chemistry #38

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

In this episode, Hank talks about transmutation among elements, isotopes, calculating half-life, radioactive decay, and spontaneous fission.

    Science (2015) Grade(s): 09-12 - Chemistry

    SC15.CHM.2

    Develop and use models of atomic nuclei to explain why the abundance-weighted average of isotopes of an element yields the published atomic mass.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.CHM.2

    Vocabulary

    • Atomic mass
    • Isotopes
    • Abundance
    • Weighted average
    • Nucleus
    • Protons
    • Neutrons
    • Macroscopic level
    • Atomic/ molecular/ particulate level

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Each atom has a charge substructure that consists of a nucleus, which is made of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.
    • The majority of an atom's mass comes from the protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
    • Electrons have a very small mass, so they are not typically included in atomic mass calculations.
    • Atoms of an element can have different masses, and we call those atoms isotopes.
    • Isotopes of a given element have the same number of protons, but different number of neutrons.
    • Most elements exist in nature in isotopic form.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the relationship between the structure of the atom and the average atomic mass of an element.
    • Use the model to make predictions.
    • Calculate weighted averages.
    • Determine the most common isotopic form of an element in nature.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Models can be computational or mathematical.
    • The published atomic mass of an element is a weighted average of all known isotopes of that element.
    • Macroscopic patterns are related to the nature of atomic/ molecular/ particulate level structure.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Developing and Using Models

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Audio/Video

    Resource Provider

    PBS
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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