PHET Interactive Simulations: Alpha Decay
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).