science education essay university assessment resource langauge
Prescribed Focus Areas
Big Idea
Seaching for a better model The birth of Quantum Physics • • • • • Nuclear Physics • • • Real world applications • • Nature History History Nature Implications for society and environment Applications and uses History Applications and uses Current issues, R&D Implications for society and environment
PFA’s
Physics 9.8 Option – From Quanta to Quarks
19/07/2008
Big Idea: 1. Searching for a better model
Statement: Problems with the Rutherford model of the atom led to the search for a model that would better explain the observed phenomena
Student activity
Investigate the H Spectrum (R1) •
Involving knowledge of
Structure of the Rutherford model (L1) Significance of H spectrum in development of Bohr’s model (L2) Bohr’s Postulates (L3) Plank’s quantised energy (L4) Development of mathematical model (L5)
• Illustrate Bohr’s explanation of the Balmer series (R2) • • Use Bohr’s equation (R3) •
Look at difficulties with the Rutherford-Bohr model (R4)
•
Limitations of Bohr’s model (L6)
Physics 9.8 Option – From Quanta to Quarks
19/07/2008
Big Idea: 2. The birth of Quantum Physics
Statement: The limitations of classical physics gave birth to quantum physics.
Student activity
• Solve problems and analyse information using de broglie’s wave equation (R1) •
Involving knowledge of
de Broglie’s wave-particle duality (L1) Davisson and Germer’s confirmation of de Broglie’s proposal (L3) De Broglie’s explanation for the stability of electron orbits in Bohr’s atom (L4) Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle Pauli’s spin
•
Investigate Heisenberg, Pauli contribution to atomic theory (R2)
• •
Do Electron diffraction and Taylors experiement
•
Interference occurs between diffracted waves (L2)
Physics 9.8 Option – From Quanta to Quarks
19/07/2008
Big Idea: 3. Nuclear Physics
Statement: The work of Chadwick and Fermi in producing artificial transmutations led to practical applications of nuclear physics
Student activity
• • Observe radiation using a cloud chamber or similar device (R1)
Involving knowledge of
Components of the nucleus (L1) Chadwick’s discovery of neutron, importance of conservation laws (L2) Contributions of electrostatic and gravitational forces between nucleons (L7) Need for the strong force (L8) What is transmutation (L3) Transmutations due to natural radioactivity (L4) Need for a neutrino, Pauli’s prediction (L6) Mass defect, Eintsein’s equivalence principle (L9) Fermi’s observation of fission (L5) Fermi’s demonstration of controlled chain reaction (L10) Requirments for controlled and uncontrolled chain reactions (L11)
•
• • • • Do mass defect and energy calculations for transmutation and fission reactions (R2) • • • •
Physics 9.8 Option – From Quanta to Quarks
19/07/2008
Big Idea: 4. Real World Applications
Statement: An understanding of the nucleus has led to large science projects and many applications
Student activity
Assess the significance of the Manhattan project (R1) •
Involving knowledge of
Basic principles of fission reactor (L1)
Look at isotope use in medicine, agriculture & engineering (R2)
•
Medical and industrial application of isotopes (L2) Standard model (L5) Particle accelerators to investigate the structure of matter (L4) Neutron scattering as a probe (L3) Paul’s helium microscope String theory Nanotechnology
• •
• • • •
Physics 9.8 Option – From Quanta to Quarks
19/07/2008