Watch alpha particles escape from a polonium nucleus, causing
radioactive alpha decay. See how random decay times relate to the
half life.
Leaing Goals
Explain what happens in alpha radiation.
Predict what happens to an element when it undergoes alpha decay.
Explain the concept of half life, including the random nature of it.
Begin to gain an understanding of the forces that work to hold an atomic nucleus together (strong nuclear force) and the forces that work to break it apart (Coulomb, i.e. electric charge, force).
Design Team: Wendy Adams, John Blanco (developer), Ron LeMaster (developer), Sam McKagan, Kathy Perkins, Noah Podolefsky, Carl Wieman, Wendy Adams and Danielle Harlow(Interviewers).
Authors of Teaching Ideas: Trish Loeblein, Phil Cook, Kathy Perkins, Carl Wieman, Clarence Canty, Drew Isola, Chris Mounce, Debra Krause Dandaneau, Roberta Tevlin.
Software Requirements
Windows: Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7, Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later.
Macintosh: OS 10.5 or later, Sun Java 1.5.0_19 or later.
Linux: Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later.
Note: The teacher's guide (pdf) contains tips created by the PhET team.
Leaing Goals
Explain what happens in alpha radiation.
Predict what happens to an element when it undergoes alpha decay.
Explain the concept of half life, including the random nature of it.
Begin to gain an understanding of the forces that work to hold an atomic nucleus together (strong nuclear force) and the forces that work to break it apart (Coulomb, i.e. electric charge, force).
Design Team: Wendy Adams, John Blanco (developer), Ron LeMaster (developer), Sam McKagan, Kathy Perkins, Noah Podolefsky, Carl Wieman, Wendy Adams and Danielle Harlow(Interviewers).
Authors of Teaching Ideas: Trish Loeblein, Phil Cook, Kathy Perkins, Carl Wieman, Clarence Canty, Drew Isola, Chris Mounce, Debra Krause Dandaneau, Roberta Tevlin.
Software Requirements
Windows: Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7, Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later.
Macintosh: OS 10.5 or later, Sun Java 1.5.0_19 or later.
Linux: Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later.
Note: The teacher's guide (pdf) contains tips created by the PhET team.