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Dating Popcorn
Students simulate the dating process with popcorn. In this geology lesson, students discuss how geologist find the age of rocks by gauging the amount of decay of radioactive elements. They have 6 bags of popcorn and each group microwaves...
Cornell University
Isotope Rummy
Thanks to this game, teaching isotopes will never be the same. Physical science scholars work their way toward understanding isotopes in an entertaining game. Pupils play rummy in groups while practicing good sportsmanship and creating...
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The Who's Who of Quantum Physics
This wonderful recap of powerful figures in scientific history includes pictures, important dates, and the information about their inventions or impact. Atomic structure and the photoelectric effect are introduced. The first slide gives...
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Radioactive Decay
Young scholars generate a radioactive decay table for an imaginary element, use their data to plot a decay graph, develop the concept of half-life, and use the graph to "age" several samples.
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Radiocarbon Dating
Students play the dating game by going to the website given by the teacher. They also are presented with the powerpoint, done the m&m simulation, and determine the age of the mummified seal and man.
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Half-Life
In this half-life activity, students are guided through the steps of solving radioactive decay problems. They solve nine problems finding rates of decay, half-life and quantities of substances remaining after given amounts of time.
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Earth's Age: The Dating Game
Students conduct a simulation to determine radioactive decay and half-life. Using pennies, dice or sugar cubes as isotopes placed in shoe boxes simulating rocks, they hold five trials representing 1000 years each to find the theoretical...
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Effects and Applications of Nuclear Chemistry
In this nuclear chemistry worksheet, students determine the biological effects and the applications of nuclear chemistry. Then students use Einstein's theory of special relativity to complete 3 problems.
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Using Radioactive Decay To Determine Age
Students explore the process of carbon dating fossils to determine their age. They simulate radioactive decay using pennies in a shoe box. Heads represents a decayed atom each time they shake the box. They use the data to calculate the...
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Relative Dating-Telling Time Using Fossils
Students explore how to read fossil range charts. They develop an knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the fossil record. Students become familiar with the concepts index fossil and fossil range. Students use bar graphs to...
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Absolute Ages of Rocks
In this ages of rock instructional activity, students review the processes involved with determining the ages of rocks which includes the radioactive decay of carbon-14. This instructional activity has 5 matching and 5 short answer...
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A Phylogenetic Perspective for the Cladistically Challenged
Students use M&Ms to simulate radioactive decay of elements.
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work in pairs for the activities of this lesson which include researching and identifying butterflies, writing, and a brief oral presentation.
Young scholars explore the concepts of rdioactive decay and dating. They generate a radioactive decay table, use their data to plot a decay graph, develop the concept of half-life, and then use the graph to find the age of a mummified...
Curated OER
Chapter 22 - 25 Review
In this chemistry review worksheet, students explore their knowledge of solutions, acid and bases, nuclear reactions, and radioactive decay as they answer 33 matching, fill in the blank, and short answer questions.
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Geologic Time: Relative and Absolute Dating
Students investigate relative and absolute dating; determine the difference between the two dating systems; and apply this knowledge by creating a geologic timetable of their own.
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Finding the Ages of Rocks and Fossils
Students practice dating fossils. They learn the concept of "deep time"--that earth was formed billions of years ago. They experience excellent hand-outs and virtual age tutorial links.
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Exponential Decay
Students study exponential decay and its application to radiocarbon dating. In this exponential decay lesson, students use candy to model the time it takes for something to decay. Students also graph the data they collect and describe...
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Atomic Energy
In this science worksheet, students use basic scientific concepts to complete the series of puzzles while focusing upon atomic energy by exploring alpha, beta, and gamma decay.
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How Old Is Mike?
Students examine the absolute dating of fossils, they use a list of names and ages to determine the difference between relative age and absolute age. They explore the relative age and absolute age of people and of fossils.
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Fossil Inferences
Fourth graders use their knowledge about fossils to arrange fossil pictures in sequence from oldest to youngest. They explain how fossils can be used to make inferences about past life, climate, geology, and environments and discover...
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Nuclear Decay
In this nuclear decay worksheet, students read about alpha and beta decay and the isotopes formed by the reactions. Students solve nine problems including writing the equations for the decay of radioactive isotopes, identifying the...
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Rock of Ages
Students use a video, the Internet and hands-on activities to explore how to determine the age of rocks and fossils based on radioactive decay data.
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Assessment & Evaluation
Seventh graders study elapsed time, radioactive decay and half-life. In this time machine lesson students complete several activities and view a presentation.
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Structure of the Atom
In this atom worksheet, students review the structure of an atom. Students also explore radioactive elements and quarks. This worksheet has 10 fill in the blank, 6 true or false, 1 short answer, and 3 multiple choice questions.