Half Life

Activity Summary
Students will examine the concept of radioactive decay as it relates to half life. They will model this process using Skittles and a small Tupperware container or shoebox. By shaking the box they will ‘decay’ a certain number of Skittles (those found to be “S” side up). The decayed Skittles are removed and the process repeated until none are left. Finally they graph the rate of
decay of their sample, indicating where the half life falls. After that students will examine what sort of radiation dose they have been exposed to in the last year by filling out the radiation dose
worksheet.

Grade Levels
9-12

Learning Objectives
1. Define half life
2. Give examples of sources of radiation in everyday life

Lesson Materials (view or download)
PowerPoint
Lesson Plans

Keywords
radiation, half life, decay

Last updated: 3/4/2015