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Alpha Decay Simulation Lab-1

The document describes a lab activity on alpha decay. Students observe the decay of Polonium-211 atoms over time using a PhET simulation. They write the nuclear equation for Po-211 decay and sketch pie charts showing the fraction of undecayed atoms at times of 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 seconds both without using the simulation and by running the simulation with 100 initial atoms. Students then compare their predicted results to the actual simulation results and explain any differences.

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328 views2 pages

Alpha Decay Simulation Lab-1

The document describes a lab activity on alpha decay. Students observe the decay of Polonium-211 atoms over time using a PhET simulation. They write the nuclear equation for Po-211 decay and sketch pie charts showing the fraction of undecayed atoms at times of 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 seconds both without using the simulation and by running the simulation with 100 initial atoms. Students then compare their predicted results to the actual simulation results and explain any differences.

Uploaded by

sid_naruto
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Conceptual Physics Lab Activity 15c: Alpha Decay Start by opening the PhET model Alpha Decay.

Make sure that you first start by clicking on the single atom tab. 1. Observe the decay of Po-211. Write a nuclear equation for the decay of Polonium-211.

2. What has to happen within the nucleus in order for an atom of Polonium-211 to decay?

The half-life of Po-211 is approximately 500 ms (half a second). Without using the PhET model, sketch a pie graph indicating the number of undecayed Po-211 atoms for a reaction starting with 100 total atoms.

t= 0.5s t=1.0s t=1.5s t=2s Now, simulate the decay of 100 Po-211 atoms by adding 100 atoms from the Bucket o Polonium. Sketch what the pie graph looks like at the times shown.

t= 0.5s t=2s 3.

t=1.0s

t=1.5s

Compare your prediction to the results that you observed. How can you explain any discrepancies?

4. Is it reasonable to assume that if you start with 10 atoms of Polonium, that 0.5s later only 5 will remain undecayed? What if you start with 500 atoms? Explain.

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