Radioactive Decay Experiment
This lab will model radioactive decay using six sided dice.
Collection of Data
Create a data table for the Number of Rolls and Number of Dice Left. Include a space for zero
rolls.
Roll the dice you have. Take out all of the “sixes” you roll. Record the number of dice left.
Repeat rolling until you have one die left. Do not continue until all the dice are gone (unless you
happened to roll all sixes on your last roll).
Write your data on the overhead at the front of the classroom. You will be using your data and
the aggregated class data.
Using MS Excel, make a graph of Number of Dice Left vs Number of throws for your data. To
do this, list number of throws in a column, and Number of Dice Left in the column to the right.
Highlight the data and Insert a Scatter Plot. To add a Trend Line, right click on a data point,
choose add trend line, check exponential and Display Equation in Chart.
Repeat the above using the aggregated class data.
Abstract
The abstract summarizes the most important results and conclusions. Start it by saying “In this
experiment…” and complete it by stating the most important findings. It should be three
sentences or less.
Introduction
Write an introduction that includes background information for radioactive decay. A
background of radioactive decay should include, but is not limited to
a) Historical information on radioactivity
b) Types of radioactive decay and radiation
c) Definition of half life
d) Equation for decay
Experiment
Summarize the experimental set up and the steps you took to complete the experiment. Do not
include data here.
Hypothesis
What do you think the half life of a six sided die is?
Data
Present your data in a labeled chart
Analysis
Here you are going to present your analysis of the data. You should include
a) The two Number of Rolls vs Number of Dice Left graphs for your data and the aggregate
class data. Make sure each graph has scaled axis, labeled axis, a title, and a figure
number to reference.
b) The exponential equations from the trend lines of the graphs
c) The decay constants from the exponential equations. The units will be Rolls-1
d) Percent difference between the calculated decay constant from the lab and the known
decay constant of a six sided dice.
e) The calculated half life of a six sided die.
Conclusion
Your conclusion should
a) Restate your results for decay constant and half life
b) How is the aggregated class data different from your own?
c) Did your results support your hypothesis?
d) Discuss how you calculated the known decay constant of a six sided die
e) Discuss the percent error you calculated.
f) What are some changes you could have made to the lab to make it better/different? How
would these changes change your results?
Total number of points: 90