PHET Interactive Simulations: Alpha Decay
Free
Resource URL
Topics
Alpha Decay
Half Life
Radiation
Description
Watch alpha particles escape from a polonium nucleus, causing radioactive alpha decay. See how random decay times relate to the half life.
Sample Learning Goals
Explain what happens in alpha radiation.
Predict what happens to an element when it undergoes alpha decay.
Explain the concept of half life, including the random nature of it.
Begin to gain an understanding of the forces that work to hold an atomic nucleus together (strong nuclear force) and the forces that work to break it apart (Coulomb, i.e. electric charge, force).
Language:
English
Curriculum Alignment:
CAPS aligned
Publication Date:
2020-02-12
Grade:
10
Audience:
Learners
Teachers
Parents
Type:
Application
Copyright:
PhET Simulations
All simulations available at http://phet.colorado.edu are open educational resources available under the Creative Commons Attribution license (CC-BY).
Permission is granted to freely use, share, or redistribute PhET sims under the CC-BY license. The following attribution is required:
PhET Interactive Simulations
University of Colorado Boulder
https://phet.colorado.edu
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