The purpose of this activity is to introduce the students to the concept of radioactive decay and half-life. Through a hands-on data collection and analysis activity with M&M's, further experimentation via a computer model, and model verification with a radioactive isotope with a known half-life and decay constant, students develop an understanding of exponential decay.

TEACHER RESOURCES Teacher Materials Student Activity Learning Goals/Standards COMPUTER MODELS STELLA Versions isee Player software Right-click to download the models PC Format Mac Format Vensim Version Vensim PLE Software Right-click to download the model Nuclear Decay with Dice

THE MODEL DIAGRAM THE EQUATIONS Dice_Remaining(t) = Dice_Remaining(t - dt) + (- Number_Removed) * dt INIT Dice_Remaining = 1000 Number_Removed = Dice_Remaining*Removal_Fraction Removal_Fraction = 1/2

THE OUTPUT

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