Half-Life Simulation
The nucleus of a radioactive isotope is unstable and spontaneously decays (changes), giving off radiation and changing into a different isotope. The rate at which nuclear decay occurs is constant. Half-life describes the interval of time during which half of the original atoms decay. Sometimes atoms will undergo a series of decays in order to become stable. Radioactive decay can release subatomic particles (protons, neutrons, and/or electrons), energy or a combination of subatomic particles and energy.
Balancing Equations
To quickly communicate what happens in a chemical reaction, scientists write chemical equations. A chemical equation lists each of the reactants (atoms or molecules that react) on the left side and each of the products (atoms or molecules that are formed) on the right side
Balancing and Half Life Supplies
This document has links to the supplies used in the Balancing and Half Life Labs.
Lab Station Printable
This document contains the printable lego lab stations.
Nuclear Reactions and Half-Life Activity
• Most naturally occurring isotopes of an element up to 19 have stable nuclei where those elements, 20 or higher, have one or more unstable isotopes.
• Instability is caused by repulsion of protons in the nucleus.
• Radiation occurs where unstable nuclei spontaneously emit small particles.
• Mass and atomic numbers are used to track these particles
Nuclear Reactions and Half-Life Key
• Most naturally occurring isotopes of an element up to 19 have stable nuclei where those elements, 20 or higher, have one or more unstable isotopes.
• Instability is caused by repulsion of protons in the nucleus.
• Radiation occurs where unstable nuclei spontaneously emit small particles.
• Mass and atomic numbers are used to track these particles
Measurements And Handling Uncertainty Activity
• The instrument shown below is called a a burette. It is used to precisely measure volumes. You will use this in the laboratory.
• The burette measures liquid through dispensing the liquid. Note that it would have 0, 1, 2 mL marked at the top and 23, 24, 25 mL marked at the bottom.
• The burette is filled, the starting point is recorded, an amount is dispensed, and then the final point is recorded.
• The amount dispensed is calculated by taking the difference between the two measurements. ***Note: a change, as in this example, is always calculated “final-initial”
Measurements And Handling Uncertainty Key
• The instrument shown below is called a a burette. It is used to precisely measure volumes. You will use this in the laboratory.
• The burette measures liquid through dispensing the liquid. Note that it would have 0, 1, 2 mL marked at the top and 23, 24, 25 mL marked at the bottom.
• The burette is filled, the starting point is recorded, an amount is dispensed, and then the final point is recorded.
• The amount dispensed is calculated by taking the difference between the two measurements. ***Note: a change, as in this example, is always calculated “final-initial”