Alpha Decay
|

Java via CheerpJ:
We've partnered with Leaning Technologies to allow our Java sims to run in a browser.
This sim is not compatible with iPads.

Java Version:
Supports offline use and offers improved performance.
Topics
- Alpha Decay
- Half Life
- Radiation
Description
Watch alpha particles escape from a polonium nucleus, causing radioactive alpha decay. See how random decay times relate to the half life.
Sample Learning Goals
- Explain what happens in alpha radiation.
- Predict what happens to an element when it undergoes alpha decay.
- 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).
Version 3.27
Teacher Tips
![]() |
Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ). |
Teacher-Submitted Activities
Concept questions for Physics using PhET (Inquiry Based) |
![]() |
![]() |
Trish Loeblein | HS UG-Intro |
MC | Physics |
Visualization and Visual Illusions SIM Homework |
![]() |
![]() |
Kathy Perkins, Carl Wieman | UG-Intro | HW | Physics |
Using PhET in High School Chemistry- all my activities in pdf |
![]() |
![]() |
Trish Loeblein | HS UG-Intro |
Lab HW Demo |
Chemistry |
Concept Questions for Chemistry using PhET |
![]() |
![]() |
Trish Loeblein | HS MS UG-Intro |
MC | Chemistry |
Alpha Decay investigations |
![]() |
![]() |
Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro HS |
Lab | Chemistry Physics |
PhET LAB Alpha (IB 7.2) |
![]() |
Benjamin Forbes | HS | Lab | Physics | |
Nuclear Processes |
![]() |
Phil Cook | HS | Lab | ||
Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS |
![]() |
Trish Loeblein updated by Diana López | HS MS |
Other | Earth Science Biology Chemistry Physics |
|
How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? |
![]() |
Sarah Borenstein | MS | Other | Earth Science Chemistry Biology Physics |
|
PhET Sims Aligned to the Chemistry Curriculum |
![]() |
Julia Chamberlain | HS UG-Intro |
Other | Chemistry | |
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment | Elyse Zimmer | MS HS |
Other | Physics Chemistry Biology |
||
Mapping of PhET and IBDP Physics | Jaya Ramchandani | HS | Other | Physics | ||
Investigating a radioactive decay | Lori Fritz | HS | Lab | Physics | ||
Radioactivity | MEHMET EMIN KALE | HS UG-Intro |
Lab HW |
Mathematics Physics |
||
Instructor | Clarence Canty | Other | CQs Lab |
|||
Phet Alpha Decay Simulation Lab | Drew Isola | HS | Lab Other |
|||
Spinometer | Chris Mounce | UG-Adv | Demo | |||
Radioactive Decay, Fission and Chain Reactions | Debra Krause Dandaneau | UG-Intro HS |
Lab Other |
Physics | ||
Intrinsic Randomness | Roberta Tevlin | HS | CQs | Physics | ||
alfa verval | Janine Nauw | HS | Lab | Physics | ||
Radioaktiivse lagunemise meedialabori juhend | Siim Tõkke | HS | HW Lab |
Physics | ||
알파붕괴 SIM 사용지침서 | 이화국(Wha Kuk Lee) | HS UG-Intro |
Lab Demo |
Astronomy Earth Science Chemistry Physics |
Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
---|---|---|
|
|