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Episode 513: Exponential decay topic

Episode 513: Preparation for the exponential decay topic

In this section, we are not concerned with the products of radioactive decay. Rather, we are looking at the random, spontaneous nature of radioactive decay and its consequences.

The key problems students have are (i) thinking erroneously that after two half lives, everything is over, and (ii) understanding the connection between what individual nuclei do, and how a large sample of radioactive nuclei behave.

Depending upon the specification you are following, some of the material is part of the first year or the second year of post-16 level course. You will need to adjust the level of mathematics accordingly.

Episode 514:  Patterns of decay

Episode 515:  The radioactive decay formula

Episode 516:  Exponential and logarithmic equations

Main aims

Students will:

1.        Define the term half-life.
2.        Make calculations involving numbers of half-lives.
3.        Relate half-life to decay probability l.
4.        Measure the half-life of a fast-decaying nuclide.
5.        Use exponential and logarithmic equations for radioactive decay.

Prior knowledge

Basic, descriptive radioactivity should already have been covered. Students will have previously been introduced to the term half-life, but are unlikely to be confident in using the quantity in calculations.

Where this leads

The mathematics of exponential decay parallels that of capacitor discharge, damped SHM etc, so these would be suitable topics to tackle next. If students have already met these topics, you could usefully spend time drawing the parallels between them.

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