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Alpha Decay

Watch alpha particles escape from a Polonium nucleus, causing radioactive alpha decay. See how random decay times relate to the half life. (Previously part of the Nuclear Physics simulation - now there are separate Alpha Decay and Nuclear Fission sims.)

 
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Version 3.18
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Topics Teaching Ideas Software Requirements Translated Versions Credits

Topics

Main Topics

  • Alpha Decay
  • Half Life
  • Radiation

Related Topics

Sample Learning Goals

  • Explain alpha radiation in terms of alpha particles tunneling out of the nucleus.
  • Explain the concept of half life, including the random nature of it.
  • Begin to gain an understanding of the forces that work to hold an atomic nucleus together (strong nuclear force) and the forces that work to break it apart (Coulomb, i.e. electric charge, force).

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Teaching Ideas

Tips for Teachers

The teacher's guide contains tips for teachers created by the PhET team (PDF).

Ideas and Activities for this Sim

There are 3 contributions listed.

Ascending Sort (Z-A)Title Author Level Type Updated
Intrinsic Randomness R. TevlinHSCQs10/08
Radioactive Decay, Fission and Chain Reactions D. DandaneauUG-Intro
HS		Lab
Other		4/09
Spinometer C. MounceUG-AdvDemo7/09

Submit Your Ideas & Activities

Note: The maximum file size is 64M, with a maximum upload of 64M at a time.

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file(s)
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Check the PhET design guidelines (PDF)

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Software Requirements

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Windows Systems Macintosh Systems Linux Systems
Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7
Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later

 OS 10.4.11 or later
Apple Java 1.5.0_19 or later

 Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later

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Translated Versions

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Credits

Design Team Third-party Libraries Thanks To
  • Wendy Adams
  • John Blanco (developer)
  • Ron LeMaster (developer)
  • Sam McKagan
  • Kathy Perkins
  • Noah Podolefsky
  • Carl Wieman
  • Interviewer: Wendy Adams
  • Interviewer: Danielle Harlow
  • Piccolo
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