Stating the uses of specific radio-isotopes (97.0%),
Relating energy in nuclear fusion to Einstein’s Equation (E = MC2) (95.8%)
Writing of nuclear equations (95.5%)
Differentiating natural from artificial radioactivity (91.6%)
Relating alpha emission to position of elements in the Periodic Table (91.2%)
Calculating period of complete nuclear decay based on Half Life of decay of elements (89.4%)
Giving correct reasons why solid radioactive wastes are not disposed of by composting (88.9%)
Interview of the students on the reasons they found the concepts difficult indicated that the roots of the
difficulties was mainly due to high level of abstraction of concepts, weak entry behaviour of the learners on such
topics as writing and balancing of chemical equations and atomic structure, and misconceptions that chemical
changes can only involve orbital electrons in the atoms and atoms can neither be created nor destroyed.