By the end of the lesson you will gather and analyses data for a decay reaction to identify the half-life of Barium 137
The half-life of a radioactive isotope is found experimentally by observing the time it takes for the activity of the sample to drop by
half.
LEARNING TASKS
Explore
Elaborate and evaluate
Consolidate
Answer all the discussion question for the practical activity
Preparation for next lesson
p.110-113
We will be determining the half -life of Barium- 137 using the JeffersonLab Radioactive half life experiment. You will collect data from a videoed experiment and then determining the half life.
1. Write out the decay equation for caesium 137 by beta decay
2. What does metastable mean?
3. What is isomeric transition?
4. What are the two measuring instruments being used and what are their advantages and disadvantages?
Experiment: Half-life experiment