Teaching atomic and nuclear physics in high school

Abstract

Scope of Study: The rapid advancements in Atomic and Nuclear Physics have left high school science teachers in need of teaching materials.ls not usually presented in high school text books in this subject. Various topics concerning this field have been selected and simplified for use in a high school physics course. Such topics as; theories on the structure of the atom, fundamental particles, isotopes, natural radioactivity, nuclear fission and reactor physics have been presented in a readable form for high school students. Much of the report is devoted to demonstrations and experiments that can be performed in the class room.

Findings and Conclusions: Atomic and Nuclear Physics holds an almost unlimited amount of information available for high school physics teaching. Study in this field is an interesting one for high school classes and science clubs. Many college texts have material that can be adapted for high school classes and current magazines are carrying articles concerning experiments and demonstrations which can be used.