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Intro David Richardson from the Institute of Physics shows three teachers from different backgrounds how they can handle radioactive resources safely, and carry out effective experiments in the classroom.

David shows a range of experiments using alpha, beta and gamma ionising radiation, and supporting animations help explain what is happening on an atomic level. David also gives the teachers some suggestions for starter activities to help their students engage with the lesson.

Additional safety points are covered by John Ellis from CLEAPSS, the school science support service.

To watch this programme, insert the disk into a normal DVD player or start the DVD playing software on your computer.

Intoduction

Why and how you can use this pack in your lessons

Animations

Four 3D animations to use with your students which explain the physics behind the demonstrations on a microscopic level.

Properties Cloud chamber The spark chamber Radiation ionises the air
Radiation Ionises the Air
Windows media player
MPEG
The Cloud Chamber
Windows media player
MPEG
The Spark Counter
Windows media player
MPEG
The Properties of Alpha,
Beta and Gamma
Windows media player
MPEG

Instructions and clips

All the details you need to perform the demonstrations from the programme in your classroom. Full instructions for
each demonstration taken from the Atoms and Nuclei section of www.practicalphysics.org are accompanied by clips
from the relevant sections of the programme along with additional theory, advice on equipment set-up, safety
information and teaching tips.

Full instructions

All instructions within one document. PDF

Individual Instructions

Pictures indicate a video clip is available - click to download/view. All clips are in Windows Media format. Instructions
are in Word format.

Ions produced by radiation carry a current Instructions Electroscope Parallel
The spark counter Instructions Spark counter
The Geiger-Muller tube Instructions Geiger-Muller
Diffusion cloud chamber Instructions Cloud Chamber
Alpha radiation: range and stopping Instructions Alpha radiation
Beta radiation: range and stopping Instructions Beta radiation
Beta radiation: deflection in a magnetic field Instructions Beta deflection
Gamma radiation: range and stopping Instructions Gama range
Gamma radiation: inverse square law Instructions none
Measuring the half-life of protactinium Instructions Protactinium
Simple model of exponential decay Instructions none
Managing radioactive materials in schools Instructions none
Making dry ice Instructions Making dry ice
Health and safety statement Instructions Safety
Radioactive sources: isotopes and availability Instructions none
Using an electroscope Instructions none
First models of the atom Instructions none
How clouds form Instructions none
Alpha-particle tracks Instructions none
Evidence for the hollow atom Instructions none
Classroom management in semi-darkness Instructions none
The nature of ionising radiation Instructions none
The chemistry of the protactinium generator Instructions none
Developing a model of the atom: radioactive atoms Instructions none
Exponential decay of a radioactive substance Instructions
Some useful equations for half-lives Instructions none

Medical physics

Sections on radioactivity taken from the IOP medical physics teaching pack which is aimed at helping teachers to teach science with examples from medical physics.
Radioactivity (PowerPoint)
Teachers' Guide (Word)
Student Booklet (Word)

Virtual Physical Laboratory

Six simulations your students can use to investigate the properties of radiation for themselves.
Virtual Physical Laboratory (zip)

Physics Education and Ethics

How to use www.peep.ac.uk with your students to promote discussion on ethical issues surrounding radiation
Teachers' Guide (Word)

Links

Practical Physics - Tried and tested instructions for school physics experiments - www.practicalphysics.org
Teachers TV
- View programmes at the Teachers TV website - www.teachers.tv
CLEAPSS
- Visit the CLEAPSS website for further safety information and advice on all aspects of practical science in schools - www.cleapss.org.uk
SSERC - SSERC provide information and advice on practical science for schools in Scotland - www.sserc.org.uk
Medical Physics Pack - Download the full medical physics pack from this website - www.teachingmedicalphysics.org.uk
VPL - Find out more about the full version of Virtual Physical Laboratory - www.vplab.co.uk
PEEP - The Physics Education and Ethics website has information to support debate on a wide range of topics surrounding physics including radiation - www.peep.ac.uk
HPA
- The Heath Protection Agency website has a section on radiation with useful information about background radiation. - www.hpa.org.uk