WRHS Chemistry Stella Unit

Chemistry: Radioactive Decay

Unit Overview

This portion of the WRHS NCSEC computational science unit investigates radioactive decay. In particular, the students will examine nuclear technologies and societal issues and take a stance on the issue or technology. In order to make informed decisions on the topic, students will gather information and form understandings of the radioactive decay process.

Students will learn about types of radioactive decay and half-life. They will gain a richer understanding of the various implications of half-life through a physical modeling experiment that relates half-life to probability of decay. Students will plot data from the experiment using Excel. Fitting trendlines to the data students will determine what type of mathematical relationship describes radioactive decay.

The unit also allows for greater understanding gained through the construction and use of two STELLA models. Students will represent a one-step decay process and a two-step decay series. These models allow the study of the impact of half-life on nuclide population over time. This exploration will provide students with a foundation to examine how half-life ties into societal application of nuclear technologies and how this relates to other societal issues such as nuclear waste concerns. Students also examine strengths and limitations of models through this unit.

Click on the links below for more information on the unit.

Chemistry: Radioactive Decay Unit Overview This portion of the WRHS NCSEC computational science unit investigates radioactive decay. In particular, the students will examine nuclear technologies and societal issues and take a stance on the issue or technology. In order to make informed decisions on the topic, students will gather information and form understandings of the radioactive decay process. Students will learn about types of radioactive decay and half-life. They will gain a richer understanding of the various implications of half-life through a physical modeling experiment that relates half-life to probability of decay. Students will plot data from the experiment using Excel. Fitting trendlines to the data students will determine what type of mathematical relationship describes radioactive decay. The unit also allows for greater understanding gained through the construction and use of two STELLA models. Students will represent a one-step decay process and a two-step decay series. These models allow the study of the impact of half-life on nuclide population over time. This exploration will provide students with a foundation to examine how half-life ties into societal application of nuclear technologies and how this relates to other societal issues such as nuclear waste concerns. Students also examine strengths and limitations of models through this unit. Click on the links below for more information on the unit.
Chemistry Unit Objectives	Science Standards Met	Schedule, Lesson Plans, and Materials	Unit Requirements	Glossary	References