Study the law of radioactive decay (simple and accelerated)
How to use the simulation?
First, collect data without the sample. You can start the measurement by pushing the
‘START’ button. The number of radioactive particles detected by the G-M tube
can be seen on the display. The process is accelerated therefor the originally
5-minute-long experiment lasts a considerably shorter time. You can stop the
simulation by pushing the ‘STOP’ button. The ‘RESET’ button takes you back to
beginning of the experiment.
Then place the sample under the sensor. You can start the measurement again by pushing the
‘START’ button. The display now shows the number of particles coming from both the
background radiation and the sample.
The task
Measure the number of hits in time periods of 30 seconds first without, then with the
sample. Use the clock of the simulation for timing. Gather the measured
figures in a table. Find the number of radioactive particles caused by the
sample by subtracting the number of detected background radiation particles
from the total hits. Plot the number of hits in every 30 seconds as a function of
time. Estimate the half-life of the sample.