Activity Overview
In this lesson, students will simulate radioactive dating at an archeological site.
Objectives
- Students will learn that when isotopes of different atoms change chemically (in a decomposition reaction), they will emit radioactivity in the process.
- Students will discover that Carbon-14 is more useful for dating younger fossils and Uranium-238 is more useful for dating older fossils.
- Students will learn that younger fossils are located in the upper layers under Earth's surface and older fossils found in lower layers.
Vocabulary
- isotopes
- decompose
- Carbon-14
- Uranium-238
- radioactivity
- radioactive dating
- half-life
- archeological site
About the Lesson
Adapted from a PhETTM simulation, this lesson involves students using TI-Nspire technology to simulate radioactive dating at an archeological site.
As a result, students will:
- Reinforce understanding of the atom and its parts.
- Learn how the amount of radioactive emissions given off by certain isotopes as they decompose can help determine the age of fossils.
- The decomposition rate of Carbon-14 is more useful for dating young fossils and the decomposition rate of Uranium-238 is more useful for dating older fossils.
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