Science / Year 9 / Science understanding / Chemical sciences

Curriculum content descriptions

explain how the model of the atom changed following the discovery of electrons, protons and neutrons and describe how natural radioactive decay results in stable atoms (AC9S9U06)

Elaborations
  • comparing the mass and charge of protons, neutrons and electrons
  • examining how the discovery of electrons, protons and neutrons resulted from experimental evidence and answered questions related to properties and behaviours of atoms
  • explaining that differences in the number of neutrons in atoms of the same element results in isotopes and that naturally occurring isotopes of some elements are unstable
  • describing in simple terms how different unstable isotopes decay such as radon-222 releasing an alpha particle, iodine-131 releasing a beta particle and cobalt-60 releasing gamma radiation to form stable atoms
  • defining half-life, examining the timescales of decay of different elements such as carbon-14 and uranium-238 and simulating or using digital simulations to examine radioactive decay including half-life
  • investigating how radiocarbon and other dating methods have been used to establish that First Peoples of Australia have been present on the Australian continent for more than 60,000 years
  • identifying where applications of radioactivity are used in medicine and industry such as diagnosing and treating cancer and checking for faults in materials used in aircraft and spacecraft
  • discussing how mass and energy are connected at all scales and energy conversion processes within atomic nuclei
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
ScOT terms

Radioactive decay,  Atoms

Interactive

Build an atom

This interactive simulation explores atomic structure, elements and the periodic table. In a series of simulations students use the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons to draw a model of the atom, identify the element, and determine the mass and charge; predict how addition or subtraction of a proton, neutron, or ...

Interactive

Exploring atoms: atom structure

See how scientists such as Ernest Rutherford have investigated the structure of atoms. Explore possible models. Fire charged particles at atoms and find which model best fits the results. This learning object is one in a series of six objects. Three of the objects are also packaged as a combined learning object.

Interactive

Isotopes and Atomic Mass

This interactive simulation explores isotopes and how the average atomic mass of an element changes given a change in the abundance of its isotopes. In a series of simulations students explore the stability of various isotopes and investigate how this relates to the proportions of isotopes in naturally occurring elements. ...

Interactive

Build a Nucleus

This interactive simulation explores isotopes and nuclear decay. In a series of simulations students explore how the changing the number of neutrons or protons affects the atomic number and isotope; investigate and predict how the shell model depiction of an isotope based on the isotope symbol or name; and predict the resulting ...

Text

Going nuclear

In this unit students are guided to complete a short investigation into the considerations of siting a nuclear power station and then submitting a brief report and reflection.

Text

Work sample Year 9 Science: Radioactivity

This work sample demonstrates evidence of student learning in relation to aspects of the achievement standards for Year 9 Science. The primary purpose for the work sample is to demonstrate the standard, so the focus is on what is evident in the sample not how it was created. The sample is an authentic representation of ...

Video

Can photons and atoms generate laser?

Electrons around atoms can absorb and emit photons of particular colours of light – see three different atomic models explain what's going on.

Video

Meet the BFFs: Four fundamental forces

We all know something about gravity, but what about the other fundamental forces of physics? Explore the properties of two familiar forces experienced in daily life, and of two less familiar ones. How do they interact, and what keeps everything from falling apart? This video was Kate Dent's entry into the 2013 Sleek Geeks ...

Audio

CERN legend stuff of angels and demons

This ABC article or podcast by Dr Karl describes and outlines the role of the particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider and how it is helping to research the nature of mass. This article is dated (2008) as some significant results from the Large Hadron Collider have since been announced.

Interactive

Sites2See: Databases for science

A page with downloadable examples, exemplars and advice to help integrate database use in teaching and learning for science. Includes suggestions and reasons for using databases in science, practise activities and information on research and benefits, plus links to a range of related resources.

Audio

Green glow of radiation

Coming into contact with a large dose of radiation is known to be hazardous. But will it make you light up like a car dashboard at night? Some anecdotes that will engage the students to learn about radioactivity while dispelling a few myths.

Interactive

Laptop wrap: Modelling atoms

A page with a focus on exploring different models of the atom. Includes tasks to present models of the atom.

Interactive

Science Talk 2007: Jack Bacon

An interview with Dr Jack Bacon, NASA engineer and futurist. Jack talks to a teacher from Sydney Girls High School about his experiences on the Vomit comet and his research into alternative energy sources. Jack also shares with us his predictions for the future of science, space travel and energy sources.

Interactive

Sites2See: Spreadsheets for science

A page with example resources, exemplars and advice to help integrate spread sheet use in teaching and learning for science. Includes suggestions for use, tutorials and information on research and benefits, plus links to a range of related resources, including a teacher guide to using Microsoft Excel in the classroom

Video

Can We Help?: Exploring nanotechnology

Peter Binks, CEO of Nanotechnology Victoria, answers the question 'How does nanotechnology work?' Discover what nanotechnology is and see several examples in action, such as scratch-resistant paint used in the car industry. Consider future applications of nanotechnology in areas such as sports, health care, clothing and cleaning.

Interactive

Sites2See: Nuclear jeopardy

Resources to help understand and debate the issues around continuing and future use of nuclear energy after the nuclear accidents in 2011 at Fukushima Daiichi and Fukushima Daini and after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Includes links to sites and information for both sides of the nuclear energy debate, including information ...

Interactive

Sites2See: Light and Matter

Links to resources to explore fundamental questions about light and matter and the application of the physics of light and matter to the past, the future and to space. Includes a quick quiz, links to additional DEC NSW physics resources and to the International Science School at the University of Sydney.

Video

Catalyst: Large Hadron Collider discovery, 2012

Have you heard of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)? Watch this clip to find out about a scientific discovery at the LHC that left physicists uncharacteristically emotional. Catalyst's Dr Derek Muller takes you inside the LHC and talks to scientists there about the discovery of the Higgs boson and what it means for our understanding ...

Text

FLEET schools: Conductors, insulators and electricity

This collection of learning activities explores the nature of electricity; how we managed to harness this power; how it changed human society and paved the way to the digital age we live in today. There are links to critical thinking activities and experiments that cover the concepts of conductors, insulators, resistance ...

Video

Catalyst: Electromagnetic radiation

Do you know how radios transmit sound, or how ultraviolet light travels through the air? Listen to Bernie Hobbs explain electromagnetic radiation and discover what radios, ultraviolet light, x-rays and nuclear blasts have in common. Find out about their energy levels, how they travel from place to place, and at what speed, ...