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Having had enough of the science app Ada’s constant misinterpretations, Sophie has decided to replace her phone. Whilst waiting in line, Sophie and Chris are subjected to another one of Ada’s malfunctions. Misinterpreting Chris’ complaints about spending “half his life” in the queue, Ada goes on to explain how to calculate the half-life of various radioactive isotopes using a half-life graph. Giving various examples, Chris becomes enthusiastic in calculating the half-life decay of radioactive nuclei with Ada.

Use the animation to calculate the half-life of different radioactive elements. Compare the animation to different scenarios to model the half-life of radioactive decay, for example, eating half a pie each time you go back to the kitchen. Advanced - Pupils can use the animation to assist them with reading and analysing a half-life graph. The background radiation can be determined from the animation’s graph. Pupils can then compare different elements, describing why the curves are different, such as varying rates of decay. Use the animation to explain why different elements have different radioactive curves. Refer to their atomic structure and the strength of their internal bonds to explain why some might decay faster or slower than others. Ask pupils to plot their own half-life graph using data obtained from online searches. They should use the animation to identify the names of radioactive elements, and find their half-life data online.