1. Radioactivity Paul Charpentier Foxboro High School Foxboro, MA pcharp@massed.net Patricia Brandl Medford High School Medford, MA Pattygrace1@aol.com

2. Traditional Coverage Review of atomic structure Comparison of radioactive emission processes Transmutation reactions Half-life

3. Enhancement to Curriculum Allows students to observe simulated decay of atoms in real time Activity emphasizes random nature of radioactive decay

4. Intended Audience Standard (college-prep) one-year chemistry course Unit includes enrichment aspects for honors- level classes Aligned to Massachusetts Science Frameworks (Chemistry 2.3, 2.8, 2.10, 2.11) and MCAS Possible interdisciplinary aspects with Social Studies

5. Adaptations Simulab also appropriate for demonstration use Conceptually, can be used by Freshman Physical Science courses

6. Placement in the Curriculum Includes enhancement for a traditional unit which is done after the Atomic Structure Unit SimuLab will follow traditional hands-on simulation of half-life Reviews/reinforces graphing skills

7. Resources Classroom Facilities: Wet lab materials, Geiger counter, radioactive sources (Uranyl acetate, Thalium, Coleman lantern mantles) Computer Resources: Demonstration-use: PC with computer projector Computer-Lab: one machine per 2 students, (teacher PC with computer projector, optional)

8. General Goals and Objectives Student will compare and contrast the three products of radioactive decay ( , ,  ) Predict the products of transmutation reactions and balance accordingly Describe the randomness and fixed rate at which isotopes decay

9. Instructional Activities Nuclear reactions Graphical Organizer of Decay Modes Shielding Geiger Counter Demo Cloud Chamber Demo Writing Nuclear Reactions Half-Life Sweet Decay Lab Half-Life SimuLab Half-life Problem Solving Carbon-14 dating

10. Chronological Outline Day 1: Graphical Organizer of Decay Modes ( , ,  ) Day 2: Demos: Demo Shielding with Geiger Counter, Cloud Chamber Day 3: Writing Nuclear Reactions (review isotope symbolism) to illustrate kinds of transmutation

11. Chronological Outline (cont.) Day 4: Sweet Decay Lab Day 5: Half-life SimuLab Day 6: Social Issues: Carbon-14 Dating, Nuclear Waste Disposal Day 7: Assessment

12. Assessments Rubrics for wet lab and SimuLab Rubric for demonstration Nuclear equation/half-life problem session Traditional teacher-generated test/quiz Optional social studies tie-in (social issues) research project