Unstable Nuclei and Half Life Guided Notes
Written by Adi Ackerman, Head Teacher
"Unstable Nuclei and Half Life Guided Notes" is written for 8th Grade (Ages 13-14). A 7th grader who is already steady on matter can use it too, and an older student can use it as a short review.


2 pages in this set
8th grade science worksheet: read about the strong force and half life, fill in the blanks and solve half life problems. Answer key included. Part of our atoms and molecules matter collection.
How do I use this worksheet?
Teach the modeling sheets first, since later pages expect students to know valence electrons. Save the nucleus and radiation pages for the end of the unit.
What students will practice
- Students will explain how the strong force holds protons and neutrons together.
- Students will describe what happens when an unstable nucleus decays.
- Students will use half life to find how much of a sample remains.

Graph First Ionization Energy Across Periods 2 and 3

Graph Atomic Mass Against Atomic Number

Element Discoveries Through Time


Periodic Table With Valence Electron Counts

Complete Periods 5 and 6 on a Blank Table


Calculate Average Atomic Mass From Isotopes

Periodic Table and Bonding Review Quiz


Label Ion Charges and Trends on the Table
Curriculum Links
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FAQ
How do I use this atoms and molecules worksheet?
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Teach the modeling sheets first, since later pages expect students to know valence electrons. Save the nucleus and radiation pages for the end of the unit.
What does this worksheet teach?
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Read about the strong force and half life, fill in the blanks and solve half life problems. The directions on the page read: Read the text and study the graph. Then complete page 2. An answer key is included.
Can I use this atoms and molecules worksheet for homeschool or classroom?
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Yes, both. We made it for 8th grade matter, and it works the same at home or at school. At home, a student can work through it alone and then go over it with you, which shows quickly what is solid and what needs another look. In class it works as independent practice, homework or a warm-up, and you can print one copy or a full set.
What is the difference between a molecule and an extended structure?
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A molecule is a small, separate group of bonded atoms, like H2O. An extended structure has no separate molecules, and its atoms or ions link into one huge repeating network, like diamond or salt. Simple Molecules Versus Extended Structures classifies six models.
How do you draw a Lewis dot diagram?
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Find the number of valence electrons from the group, then place one dot on each side of the symbol before pairing them. Oxygen, in group 16, gets six dots. Valence Electrons and Lewis Dot Diagrams practices periods 2 and 3.
What is half life?
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Half life is the time it takes for half of the atoms in a sample of an unstable isotope to decay. After two half lives, 25 percent of the original atoms remain. Unstable Nuclei and Half Life Guided Notes explains this with a graph.
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Graph First Ionization Energy Across Periods 2 and 3

Graph Atomic Mass Against Atomic Number

Element Discoveries Through Time


Periodic Table With Valence Electron Counts

Complete Periods 5 and 6 on a Blank Table


Calculate Average Atomic Mass From Isotopes

Periodic Table and Bonding Review Quiz


Label Ion Charges and Trends on the Table