Fusion
The resources in this list support nuclear physics at post-16, and link to nuclear particles (neutrons, protons and alpha particles), nuclear isotopes, beta decay and half-life, alpha decay, fusion reactions and fusion energy, the statistical nature of beta decay and half-life, stars, energy generation in stars, and stellar explosions, catalytic processes in general.
An inspirational film to start this topic off can be found here: https://www.stem.org.uk/rx6zw6
Fission and Fusion: a Physics Kit
Use Lego to represent the building blocks of matter. Different colour and size Lego bricks are assigned to protons, neutrons and electrons. Fusion is shown by joining bricks together and fission by breaking large collections of bricks apart. Half-life is also shown by decreasing heights of Lego bricks
Tokamak Power
A readable article explaining how a 'tokamak' generates high-temperature plasma in which nuclear fusion can occur; this may form the basis of a new generation of power stations.
Professional Knowledge: Physics
For those wishing to update their subject knowledge there's a useful section in this professional development video on plasma and fusion.
Powering the Future
Dr Melanie Windridge's IOP Schools Lecture looks at the physics behind fusion reactions in the sun, and how JET is trying to use fusion for power on Earth. Highly recommended as an introduction to the topic of fusion.
make a fusion machine
There's a template here for students to make their own tokamak and a useful booklet with ideas for activities.
Stars Presentations
There's a presentation here giving a simplified explanation of the proton-proton chain of nuclear fusion
Episode 514: Patterns of Decay
students use discussion, demonstration and worked examples to look at the exponential decay and radioactive half-life of a range of nuclides. These include sources of alpha, beta and gamma radiation.
The activities in this learning episode include:
* discussing and demonstrating half-life
* measuring the half-life of protactinium 234Pa
* worked examples on whole numbers of half lives
* student examples and calculations