TI-Nspire™ Activities: Physics
May 12, 2009 through May 19, 2009
Nuclear Binding Energy
In this activity, students investigate different forms of radioactive decay. They begin by studying simulations of alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays passing through electrically charged plates. They use their observations to determine the nature of alpha, beta, and gamma decay, and to balance several nuclear decay equations. |
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Next, students study graphs of alpha particle count vs. time for Po-218. They study two graphs; the second graph represents the alpha particle counts for a sample twice as large as that in the first sample. They use the Regression tool to calculate the best-fit curve for each data set. They use these curves to determine the decay constant for Po-218. |
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Next, students use a plot of the regression equation for Po-218 to graphically determine the half-life of the isotope. |
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