Lesson Plan

• Describe the concepts of mass defect and binding energy and how they relate to nuclear stability.
• Explain the processes of nuclear fusion and nuclear fission, including the conditions required for each.
• Compare the energy release, by‑products, and practical challenges of fusion versus fission.
• Apply the principle of E=mc² to calculate the energy released in simple fusion and fission reactions.

• Projector and screen
• Interactive whiteboard or blackboard
• Worksheet with comparison tables
• Calculator for energy calculations
• Animated videos/ simulations of fusion and fission
• Printed diagrams of nuclear reactions

Begin with a striking image of a star and a nuclear power plant to spark curiosity about how the same fundamental process can power both. Ask students what they already know about “energy from the atom” and link it to previous lessons on mass‑energy equivalence. State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to clearly define and contrast nuclear fusion and fission.

1. Do‑now (5'): Quick quiz on mass defect and binding energy to activate prior knowledge.
2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Review mass‑energy equivalence, introduce binding energy per nucleon, and show the binding‑energy curve.
3. Demonstration (10'): Play short animations of deuterium‑tritium fusion and uranium‑235 fission, highlighting key characteristics.
4. Guided worksheet (15'): Students work in pairs to fill a comparison table (fuel, conditions, energy per nucleon, by‑products, challenges).
5. Group discussion (10'): Each pair shares findings; teacher clarifies misconceptions and connects to real‑world applications (stars, reactors).
6. Exit ticket (5'): One‑sentence answer to “Which process releases more energy per nucleon and why?”

Recap the core ideas: mass defect creates binding energy, and both fusion and fission release energy by moving toward higher binding energy per nucleon. Collect exit tickets, then assign a short homework task to calculate the energy released in a given fusion reaction using E=Δm c².