Add to List

Product Highlights

• Observe thermoluminescence from heating irradiated salts and then calculate the energy released to develop a model for what is happening at the atomic level.
• High school teacher-led, student-engaged demonstration with enough materials for 5 performances.
• Carolina Kits 3D®—Labs that use phenomena to support NGSS and 3-dimensional instruction.

As 2 different irradiated salt samples are heated, students observe bursts of light. This phenomenon provides evidence that the crystals’ electrons were previously energized to an excited state. Students apply prior knowledge of chemical and physical properties to develop a model for what is happening at the atomic level. After a discussion, students revise their model and make predictions on what will happen if conditions are changed.

Time Requirement
Total, 10 minutes. Teacher prep, 5 minutes. Demonstration and discussion, 5 minutes.

Digital Resources
Includes 1-year access to digital resources that support 3-dimensional instruction for NGSS. Digital resources may include a teacher manual and student guide, pre-lab activities and setup videos, phenomenon videos, simulations, and post-lab analysis and assessments.

Performance Expectations
HS-PS2-4
HS-PS4-3

Crosscutting Concepts
Patterns

Disciplinary Core Ideas
PS2.B: Types of Interactions
PS4.B: Electromagnetic Radiation

Science and Engineering Practices
Developing and Using Models

Learning Objectives

• Use prior knowledge to make predictions and then develop models based on observations and prior knowledge.
• Illustrate and explain thermoluminescence on a particulate level and learn that short-wavelength electromagnetic radiation can ionize atoms.

Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills
Students need a knowledge of atomic structure, the location of subatomic particles, and how atoms are ionized. They should also have a familiarity with the electromagnetic spectrum and an understanding of the relationship between frequency, wavelength, and energy.

NOTE: Instructions for this kit are based on the predict, observe, explain (POE) model. POE is primarily used in science classes. Specifically, POE has optimal effects when paired with demonstrations that allow students to make and record observations and then follow those observations with explanations.