Exploring Radiometric Dating with Dice

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Author:

Carla Whittington, Carleton College Science Education Resource Center

Subject:

Science and Technology

Institution Name:

SERC

Collection:

DLESE Community Service Center (SERC)

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Abstract:

In this lab, students use dice to simulate radioactive decay. Students create a standard decay curve for a fictional element, calculate the half-life of this element, and, using the information their graph, "date" rocks that contain the new element. The use of dice has some advantages over similar exercises because the half-life is not immediately obvious to students and they will need to experimentally determine it. Learning goals, context for use, teaching tips, materials, assessment tips and related resources are provided.

Course Type:

Learning Module

Languages:

English

Material Type:

Activities and Labs

Media Format:

Text/HTML

Conditions of Use:

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0