Experiment to simulate the radioactive decay of U-235

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on a high-school experiment simulating the radioactive decay of Uranium-235 (U-235) using pins to represent atoms. Key aspects that enhance the accuracy of the experiment include the removal of upside-down pins, which parallels the decay of U-235 atoms, and the probabilistic nature of the process, approximating a 50/50 chance of decay. Suggested improvements include increasing the initial number of pins for better average results and ensuring valid and reliable data through repeated trials and proper tabulation of results.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of radioactive decay and half-life concepts
  • Familiarity with probability and statistical averages
  • Basic experimental design principles
  • Ability to create and interpret data tables and graphs
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of radioactive decay and half-life of U-235
  • Learn about statistical methods for averaging experimental results
  • Study experimental design to improve validity and reliability
  • Explore data visualization techniques for graphing experimental outcomes
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for high school students conducting experiments in physics or chemistry, educators teaching concepts of radioactive decay, and anyone interested in understanding experimental design and data analysis.

victorhugo
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Basic high-school homework. I mostly just want feedback on my answers and advice :)

The experiment was to:
Drop pins into a box. Pick out the one's upside down and count them and these are the ones that underwent decay.
Get the ones that weren't upside down and throw them into the box again, then repeat the process until there are not pins left.

This seems to be very similar how half life works, but I just need help in answering these questions:

1) 3 aspects that make this experiment accurate in showing the radioactive decay of U-235

-The process of removing the ones that were upside down is identical to what happens when an U-235 atom decays and stops
-Uses "chance/probability" which would be very close to 50/50, just like in radioactive decay
-Doing the experiment until there is no pins left is the same as when a sample of U undegoes complete decay.2) Identify two improvements to this process

Repeat it and add more pins to start with so that an average can be obtained.3) Draw a table so that the results are valid and reliable.
>Valid and Reliable are important terms to this, but I'm sure not sure how either than just repeating...4) Graph your average results
>Does this mean I should repeat the experiment, drawing various tables and average them out?
 
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victorhugo said:
-Uses "chance/probability" which would be very close to 50/50, just like in radioactive decay
There is nothing special about 50% chance in radioactive decay, this is different from your experiment.
victorhugo said:
3) Draw a table so that the results are valid and reliable.
>Valid and Reliable are important terms to this, but I'm sure not sure how either than just repeating...
I guess just draw a table and fill in results.
victorhugo said:
4) Graph your average results
>Does this mean I should repeat the experiment, drawing various tables and average them out?
Probably.
 

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