Scientific discord is part of the road to new discoveries. Scholars learn how scientists challenge each other to prove and explain their conclusions in the final lesson of the four-part series Into the Atom. The video lesson explains the events that led to the discovery that a neutron can split an atom.

Concepts

atoms, atomic bombs, radiation, radioactivity, protons, neutrons, electrons

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Use to introduce historical science discoveries about the atom
• Following the lesson, have pupils research current implications of splitting atoms 

Classroom Considerations

• Expects a solid understanding of subatomic particles

Pros

• Supplements the concepts with actual correspondence between scientists at the time
• Shows animations and images to support the concepts

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.2 SL.11-12.2 RST.9-10.9 RST.11-12.9