Radioactivity iLab
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Mathematical Modeling Using Real Radioactivity Data
STUDENT PAGE
iLab: Radioactivity iLab
In this lab, you can explore how radioactive radiation changes as a function of distance. This curriculum sets the Radioactivity iLab in the context of mathematics curriculum, asking you to consider:
How do mathematical patterns describe and predict scientific data?
Pre-Lab Activities
In the Pre-Lab Activities, you will learn about modeling physical proesses, and you will think about how the intensity of radiation operates over distance.Activity 1: Introduction to Modeling Physical Processes
Activity 1a: Modeling a function from a real-world phenomenon
Activity 2: Predicting Radiation Intensity over Distance
Activity 2a: Reviewing of independent and dependent variables and function relationships
Activity 2b: Review of families of functions concepts
Lab Activities
In the Lab Activities, you will conduct the Radioactivity iLab. With the real data you collect, you will perform analyses, discuss your results with classmates, and draw conclusions about how radiation changes as a function of distance.Activity 3: The Radioactivity iLab
Radioactivity iLab Guide (PDF)
Troubleshooting the Radioactivity iLab - for students
Formats: (HTML) (PDF)
Radioactivity iLab Analysis Guide (Excel 2001-2004 - PDF) (Excel 2007-2008 - PDF) (OpenOffice - PDF)
Post-Lab Activities
In the Post-Lab Activities, you will analyze your data to better understand curve fitting and how natural phenomena observe mathematical functions.Activity 4: Post-Lab Analysis
Activity 4a: Review of the "Rule of 4"
Activity 4b: "Best-fit" functions: Understanding R2
Activity 4c: Understanding the role of exposure time and domain values on the iLab data
Activity 4d: Function transformations, and what makes them happen
Activity 5: Why Radioactivity Follows the Inverse Square Law
Activity 5a: Another example of inverse square - surface area and diameter of a balloon
Activity 5b: Brainstorming activity - What other phenomenon should follow the inverse square law and why?
This curriculum is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
Developed By
James Klock
Mathematics & Environmental Science Teacher
Wells Community Academy High School
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago, Illinois
with the support of the Office of STEM Education Partnerships at Northwestern University
Contact
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FAQ
Technical Requirements
Troubleshooting the Radioactivity iLab
All Radioactivity iLab Curricula
The iLab Network is supported in part by the National Science Foundation under grant OCI-0753324. However, any opinions, findings, conclusions, and/or recommendations are those of the investigators and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.