Alpha decay

Alpha decay using the PhET interactive simulations

In this activity you will investigate alpha and beta decay using simulations. These have been created by the University of Colorado PhET project and simulate the random nature of nuclear radiation.

To start: Download the simulation found HERE. This will take a minute. It runs on Java and you need to have an up-to-date version. This simulation uses the decay of Polonium – 211 by alpha particle. While the download is going work out what the daughter product of this decay will be and write it in your notes.

Once the simulation is running in a new window you will see a bucket with Polonium – 211 nuclei. Click ‘add ten’ and watch what happens. Do this several times and write some observations in your notes.

Things you should be thinking about;

Do they all radiate at the same time?

What is happening to the nuclei before and after the radiation?

Do they radiate in the same direction?

Discuss with a partner what is going on and try to explain what you are seeing using the physics you have read about. Write your explanation below:

Now click the single atom tab

Run the simulation several times and make detailed observations in your notes.

This simulation has a graph at the bottom. What is this graph showing? Discuss this with your partner and then give an explanation in your notes.