PHYSICAL SCIENCE
(SECONDARY)
ESSENTIAL UNIT 5 (E05)
(Carbon and Nuclear Chemistry)
(June 2011)
Unit Statement: This unit focuses on the on the many compounds that carbon can form
and on radioactive elements, their properties and uses.
Essential Outcomes: (Must be Assessed)
1. The Student Will relate the structures of three forms of carbon to their properties
and explain why there are millions of different organic compounds. (p. 262 – 263)
2. TSW classify hydrocarbons using structural formulas and names, identifying them
as saturated or unsaturated, and relate the number and arrangement of carbon
atoms in hydrocarbons to their properties. (p. 264 – 266)
3. TSW classify substituted hydrocarbons based on their functional groups and
describe the properties and reactions of five types of substituted
hydrocarbons. (p. 272 – 274)
4. TSW relate monomers and polymers, and compare three examples of synthetic
polymers and four types of natural polymers. (p. 275 – 280)
5. TSW describe the process of nuclear decay and classify nuclear radiation as alpha
particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. (p. 292 – 296)
6. TSW balance nuclear equations. (p. 293 – 296)
7. TSW relate half-life to the age of a radioactive sample and compare and contrast
nuclear reaction rates with chemical reaction rates. (p. 298 – 301)
8. TSW compare and contrast nuclear forces and describe the processes of nuclear
fission and nuclear fusion. (p. 308 – 315)
9. TSW apply the scientific method in a variety of ways with a focus on one or two
areas of the process. (Appendix in Curriculum Guide)
Introduced and Practiced Outcomes:
1. The Student Will describe the formation, composition, and uses of three types of fossil
fuels and describe the effects of some products of the combustion of these. (p. 267 – 268)
2. TSW compare photosynthesis and cellular respiration. (p. 282 - 283)
3. TSW explain how enzymes and vitamins help reactions take place in cells. (284)
4. TSW explain how nuclear reactors are used to produce energy. (309 – 314)
QSI PHYSICAL SCIENCE (SEC) E05
Copyright  1988-2011
17
Suggested Materials:
PSCA Chapters 9 and 10, PSLM #9(A, B) and #10(A, B).
Suggested Assessment Tools and Strategies:
Physical Science: Concepts in Action – Chapter Tests may be used as is for the
chapters cited in the unit or serve as a basis for creating tests.
Physical Science: Concepts in Action - Performance Assessment may be used as is,
including rubrics, for the chapters cited in the unit.
Chapter Resources:
Previous scheme worksheets and activities may be used to augment the book.
Suggested Technology Resources:
phet.colorado.edu
www.phschool.com
Destiny Webpath Express – see library coordinator for details
Student Express CD-ROM activities
Suggested Activities, Labs, or Projects:
Suggested Lab focus: Drawing Conclusions
Inquiry Activity, PSCA p. 261
Comparing Isomers, PSCA p. 265
Exploring Boiling Points of Chlorocarbons, PSCA p. 273
Distinguishing Sugars from Starches, PSCA p. 278
Comparing Vitamin C in Fruit Juices, PSCA p. 285, PSLM p. 303 – 304
Testing for Nutrients in Foods, PSLM p. 89 – 96
Cross-Linked Polymers, PSLM p. 97 – 100
Inquiry Activity, PSCA p. 291
Modeling Half-life, PSCA p. 300
Modeling a Chain Reaction, PSCA p. 316, PSLM p. 305 – 308
Modeling Radioactive Decay, PSLM p. 101 – 106
Detecting Nuclear Radiation, PSLM p. 107 – 110
RUBRIC FOUND ON FOLLOWING PAGE……………………
QSI PHYSICAL SCIENCE (SEC) E05
Copyright  1988-2011
18
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
(SECONDARY)
ESSENTIAL UNIT 5 (E05)
SUGGESTED RUBRIC
TSW
‘A’ Level Mastery
‘B’ Level Mastery
1
Student diagrams or demonstrates how the
carbon atom itself leads to a variety of different
bonding structures
Student clearly relates the structures of three forms of
carbon to their properties and explains why there are
millions of different organic compounds
2
NA
3
NA
Student consistently classifies hydrocarbons using
structural formulas and names, identifies them as
saturated or unsaturated, and relates the number and
arrangement of carbon atoms in hydrocarbons to their
properties
Student correctly classifies substituted hydrocarbons
based on their functional groups and describes the
properties and reactions of five types of substituted
hydrocarbons
Student clearly relates monomers and polymers, and
compares three examples of synthetic polymers and
four types of natural polymers
4
Student creates a cost benefit analysis of
common synthetic and natural polymers.
5
Student diagrams or demonstrates how nuclear
decay occurs and how it is both useful and
destructive
Student completely describes the process of nuclear
decay and classifies nuclear radiation as alpha
particles, beta particles, or gamma rays
6
NA
Student consistently and correctly balances nuclear
equations
7
Student diagrams or demonstrates half-life
and/or how nuclear and chemical reactions are
different from one another.
Student clearly relates half-life to the age of a
radioactive sample and compares and contrasts
nuclear reaction rates with chemical reaction rates
8
Student diagrams or demonstrates nuclear
forces and how nuclear fission and fusion are
different. Student analyses fission and fusion
to create a cost benefit analysis of using each to
provide electricity
See Laboratory Report Rubric in Curriculum
Guide Appendix
Student compares and contrasts nuclear forces and
clearly describes the processes of nuclear fission and
nuclear fusion
9
•
•
See Laboratory Report Rubric in Curriculum Guide
Appendix
To receive an ‘A’, the student must show ‘A’ level mastery in at least 4 of the 6
available TSW’s and ‘B’ level mastery on all of the remaining TSW’s.
To receive a ‘B’, the student must show ‘B’ level mastery on all ten TSW’s.
QSI PHYSICAL SCIENCE (SEC) E05
Copyright  1988-2011
19