Module 1 Intro

Module 1—Chemical Foundations

Lesson 5—The Particle Model

Get Focused

Harnessing nuclear energy involves many changes for matter. As you have already learned in this module, chemical change must occur to process uranium from its ore into the nuclear fuel within a reactor. Certain isotopes of uranium undergo nuclear change as they become converted into other types of atoms and release radiation. The radiation released is used to heat water to produce steam, an example of a third type of matter change—a physical change.  What is common to all of these kinds of change? How are each of these kinds of changes unique? Scientists often use models and theories to explain events that are not observable. In this lesson you will not only learn about the particle model for matter and the kinetic molecular theory, but you will discover how they can be used to explain matter changes described in this module.

Essential Questions

• What is the particle model of matter?

• What is the kinetic molecular theory?

• What are the types of changes in matter, and what evidence is there that a chemical change has occurred?

Assessment

In this lesson you will complete the module project investigating nuclear energy.

You must decide what to do with the questions that are not marked by your teacher.

Remember that these questions provide you with the practice and feedback that you need to successfully complete this course. You may decide to respond to all the questions and place those answers in your course folder.