Today in class, we completed the forensic archaeology lab. In order to complete the lab, we had to cut out 567 squares, and simulate the process of half lives by dumping the squares out and removing the colored pieces of paper, representing decayed atoms. Then, the process was repeated 6 times in order to narrow the numbers down from 567 to about 12. The whole purpose of the lab was to correctly identify a fictional skeleton based on radioactive decay of the bones.
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| http://marionlocal.k12.oh.us/hs/studentwebs/2009-2010/MM/winner/CPChanges/PhysicalChanges.html |
Next, we made a graph of our data in excel in order to show our results. The graph was very beneficial to me because it really helped me visualize the pattern of half lives and the severity of the drop off when half lives are accounted for.
Helpful links to reinforce knowledge of half lives:
HyperPhysics
Half Lives and Carbon Dating Video
Half Life basics
I believe you did a wonderful job of describing the lab. You gave the purpose of the lab and how we were supposed to represent the process of decaying atoms. The most intriguing part of your post is the list of helpful links that can help enhance your knowledge on the topic of half-lives. Nice job.
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