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Physical Science: Energy

Lesson Overview

electron activity

Lesson Material

Hello Educators! Check out the lesson overview for our High School Physical Science in-class field trip on fission and fusion, transformation of energy, and electromagnetism. Interested in us coming to your classroom? Schedule a visit!

Georgia Standards of Excellence

Lesson Focus: Develop a model to demonstrate fission and fusion, discuss energy transformation, and evaluate electricity and magnetism.

SPS4. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to explain the changes in nuclear structure as a result of fission, fusion and radioactive decay.

SPS7. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to explain transformations and flow of energy within a system.

SPS10. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to explain the properties of and relationships between electricity and magnetism.

Class Activities

Learning Objectives

  • Differentiate between fission and fusion.
  • Discuss the transformation of energy in nuclear power plants.
  • Discuss the process of generating nuclear energy and practical applications as an alternative energy source.
  • Explore the relationship between electricity and magnetism.
  • Describe the benefits of energy efficiency.
  • Discuss potential careers in the nuclear energy field.

Part 1: Fission and Fusion

Purpose of Activity:

  • Differentiate between fission and fusion and discuss the process of energy generation in Nuclear Power Plants.
  • Review mathematical visual demonstration of a nuclear reaction and learn how to write and balance nuclear equations.

Part 2: Activity Sheets

Purpose of Activity:

  • Determine if a nuclear reaction is fusion or fission and mathematically compare the numbers of protons and neutrons after the fission/fusion reaction with the numbers before the fission/fusion reaction.
  • Learn vocabulary related to how nuclear energy is made.

Part 3: Transformation & Flow of Energy

Purpose of Activity:

  • Discuss the process of energy generation in a Nuclear Power Plant and the different energy transformations that take place during generation.
  • Explore STEM activities on AC/DC power and learn how power is used in our daily lives.

Part 4: VIDEO – Nuclear Energy Generation

Purpose of Activity:

  • Discuss generating electrical energy for Georgia Power customers and energy usage.

Part 5: Electromagnetism

Purpose of Activity:

  • Explain the properties and relationships between electricity and magnetism.
  • Explore STEM activities and learn how electromagnetism is part of our daily lives.

Part 6: Energy Efficiency & Careers

Purpose of Activity:

  • Discuss energy efficiency and conservation.
  • Discuss careers in the nuclear energy field.