Teachers` corner

The work with this LO can be done individually or in groups. If there is enough time, during the evaluation the following methods can be used: discussion, collaboration and communication.

While teaching this LO the students’ attention can be drawn to the following:

a) The equilibrium existing in radioactive decay chains enables the determination of long half-lives by measuring the concentration of the different members. This answers the frequently asked question: “how can a 4,5 billion years half-life be measured?”

b) It can be explained why a natural radioactive material - with half-life shorter than the Earth’s life - still exists on Earth.

It is recommended to draw the attention of the students to the phenomenon of natural radioactivity! We can tell them that we are live in a naturally occurring radiation field. The major part of this radiation comes from the natural materials on Earth. (The cosmic radiation represents only a smaller part of the natural radiation background.)

The glossary of the LO contains several other terms too, related to the radioactivity (activity, half-life, e.g.). Therefore, it is suitable for students' individual work (home studies) as well as for classroom work.

If you have any questions related to these topics, please contact the authors:

bjaro@goliat.eik.bme.hu & sukosd@reak.bme.hu