Lesson Plan: P1.5.08

Hamble Lesson Observation Plan
Learning About
When does background radiation occur?
Keywords:
  • Dose : an amount of ionizing radiation received or absorbed at one time or over a specified period. (1)
  • Cosmic rays : a highly energetic atomic nucleus or other particle travelling through space at a speed approaching that of light. (1)
  • Nuclear fallout : radioactive particles that are carried into the atmosphere after a nuclear explosion and gradually fall back as dust or in precipitation. (1)
  • Sievert : the SI unit of dose equivalent (the biological effect of ionizing radiation), equal to an effective dose of a joule of energy per kilogram of recipient mass. (1)
Memory Anchor:
Method Precise Learning Objective Linked Question / Activity
(Designed for maximum working out)		 Stepping Stones Pitstop Check
(Thinking Map)
Background radiation is around us all of the time. When is radiation around?

Pose question: Are people in some areas exposed to more background radiation than others? If so why?
Background radiation comes from: ? natural sources such as rocks and cosmic rays from space ? man-made sources such as the fallout from nuclear weapons testing and nuclear accidents. Where does Background radiation comes from?

Pose question: Are we at risk from background radiation? Is this greater or less than other parts of the country and why?
The level of background radiation and radiation dose may be affected by occupation and/or location. How could the level of background radiation be affected?
Radiation dose is measured in sieverts (Sv) How is radiation dose measured?
1000 millisieverts (mSv) = 1 sievert (Sv) What does 1000 millisieverts equal to?
Students will not need to recall the unit of radiation dose. What is the unit for a radiation dose?
Nuclear radiations are used in medicine for the: ? exploration of internal organs ? control or destruction of unwanted tissue. How can nuclear radiation be used in medicine?

Research some radioactive sources used in medicine and the properties of these tracers (half-life, type of radiation emitted and state). Find out how nuclear radiation can be used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Nuclear radiations are used in medicine for the: ? exploration of internal organs ? control or destruction of unwanted tissue. How can nuclear radiation be used in medicine?
Students should be able to describe and evaluate the uses of nuclear radiations for exploration of internal organs, and for control or destruction of unwanted tissue How can nuclear radiation be used in medicine?
Students should be able to evaluate the perceived risks of using nuclear radiations in relation to given data and consequences. What are the perceived risks of using nuclear radiation?
Radioactive isotopes have a very wide range of half-life values What are the half-lifes of radioactive isotopes?
Students should be able to explain why the hazards associated with radioactive material differ according to the half-life involved Why does the hazard associated with radioactive material differ according to the half-life involved?

Pose question: Why can’t radioactive waste be thrown in landfill sites?
Links To the Big Ideas
ForcesParticlesEnergyCells