In this lesson, students will simulate radioactive dating at an archeological site.

• 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.

• isotopes
• decompose
• Carbon-14
• Uranium-238
• radioactivity
• radioactive dating
• half-life
• archeological site

Adapted from a PhET^TM 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.

PhET is a trademark owned by the Regents of the university of Colorado, which was not involved in the production of, nor do they endorse this product.