Teaching radioactive decay & radiometric dating: an analog activity based on fluid dynamics

Erika Grundstrom

Vanderbilt University & Fisk University

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Initial Publication Date: February 28, 2012 | Reviewed: November 3, 2013 (see revision history: 2 events)

Summary

Radiometric dating/geochronology is a difficult concept for students. Using the (rather messy) medium of shampoo, students watch it flow through holes of different sizes, determine the exponential decay equation, then use this information to "date" the shampoo. This is an activity that is designed to help students understand exponential decay and primarily designed as a laboratory exercise, it could be modified to be a whole-class demonstration.
Developed by Lily Claiborne and Calvin Miller

Historical Geology | High School (9-12), College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16), Graduate/Professional

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Context

Audience

One version of the lab has been used in introductory geology for non-majors, another has been used with geology graduate students (the more complicated one), and it has been modified for early high school students.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

measurement
use of Excel would be nice, but not terribly necessary

How the activity is situated in the course

This is a stand-alone activity

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

radioactive decay
exponential decay
using equations to predict
geochronology

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

analysis of data
synthesis of ideas

Other skills goals for this activity

using Excel for data analysis

Description of the activity/assignment

A fluid flowing from an upper beaker into a lower beaker (shampoo in this case) behaves mathematically identically to radioactive decay, mimicking the exponential decay process, dependent on the amount of fluid in the upper beaker (representing the amount of parent isotopes) and the size of the hole in the beaker (representing the decay constant). Students measure the fluid depth with time for several "runs" with varied conditions, then graph their results, create decay equations, manipulate these equations and use them to "date" another experiment. They then apply their new understanding to make predictions regarding complications involved in the decay process and its use in dating (such as daughter loss).

Developed by Lily Claiborne and Calvin Miller.