Radioactive Decay and Carbon Dating
Lesson idea. This project explores exponential graphs and how these are applied in radioactive decay, including carbon dating. For those studying for their GCSEs, it would be appropriate to explore radioactive decay theory and how this forms the basis of carbon dating, including topics such as half-lives and what radioactivity is. This knowledge can be further applied into the processes inside a nuclear reactor; perhaps a student could develop this project by drawing graphs of the amounts of energy released by different radioisotopes when bombarded with a neutron in a nuclear reactor. Learning about exponential graphs would also deepen a student’s understanding of compound interest, which is part of the Maths curriculum and in preparation for A-level Maths.
Teaching approach. This lesson features a ‘real life’ example for students to explore using visualisation(ta) via GeoGebra. The focus on ‘real life’ increases student motivation.
The activity engages pupils in group talk(ta), mathematical thinking(ta) and vocabulary(ta). This open ended(ta) task encourages higher order(ta) thinking, and encourages whole class(ta) discussion(ta)/questioning(ta) and inquiry(ta) projects. (edit)
| Resource details | |
| Title | Radioactive Decay and Carbon Dating |
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| Learning Objectives | By the end of the activity students should be able to understand how a mathematical software modelling and visualisation tool such as GeoGebra can be used to explore 'real life' mathematics. |
| Format / structure | wiki page with downloadable .doc version |
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| Files and resources to view and download | The first resource is an overall description of the activity with examples. This is the accompanying GeoGebra application: A table of planetary data can be found at the National Earth Science Teachers Association (USA) website: Windows To The Universe: http://www.windows2universe.org/our_solar_system/planets_table.html Have a look at the TI-Nspire STEM booklets (Galloway, Oldknow & Tetlow), such as “Using Real World Data” http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/elibrary/resource/715/stem-activities-with-ti-nspire for other ideas for modelling using these techniques. |
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