Half Life

By Tamra C. Ragland  •

Grade Level
 7th
Subject Area
 Life Science
Rationale
 Integration of mathematics and science
Author
 Tamra C. Ragland
 
Objectives
The student will be able to:
1.) Create a model of radioactive decay to more fully understand radiometric dating.
2.) Construct a graph illustrating the concept of half-life.
3.) Apply the concept of half-life.
 
Materials Required
Shoe box or a similar container with lid, 100 pennies, graph paper, Student Data page, graphing calculator (optional)
 
Ohio Standards

Science

1. Explain that diversity of species is developed through gradual processes over many generations (e.g., fossil record).
2. Investigate how an organism adapted to a particular environment may become extinct if the the environment, as shown by the fossil record, changes.

Mathematics

1. Create a visual representation of an equation-solving process that models the use of radioactive decay.
2. Read, create and interpret a graph illustrating the concept of half-life.
3. Use a graphing calculator to analyze change.
Documents
Lesson Plan worddoc