Description
Model radiometric dating and explain how evidence from radiometric dating can help construct an account of Earth’s history. In this series of 3 investigations, students explain how scientists know the ages of rocks and why the oldest rocks on Earth are not as old as Earth. They model half-life, explore how elements have different half-lives, and calculate the age of simulated samples.
Curriculum Connection
While designed for a stand-alone earth science course, this series of activities could be incorporated into a high school physics or chemistry course during a unit on radioactive decay, specifically half-lives.
Time Requirements
Teacher prep, approximately 30 minutes. Completing the activities, approximately 1 week (135 minutes).
Digital Resources
Includes 1-year access to digital resources that support 3-dimensional instruction for NGSS. Digital resources may include a teacher manual and student guide, pre-lab activities and setup videos, phenomenon videos, simulations, and post-lab analysis and assessments.
Performance Expectation(s)
HS-ESS1-6: Apply scientific reasoning and evidence from ancient Earth materials, meteorites, and other planetary surfaces to construct and account of Earth’s formation and early history.
HS-PS1.C: Nuclear processes, including fusion, fission, and radioactive decays of unstable nuclei, involve release or absorption of energy. The total number of neutrons plus protons does not change in any nuclear process.
Crosscutting Concepts
Stability and Change
Disciplinary Core Ideas
ESS1.C: The History of Planet Earth
Science and Engineering Practices
Constructing Explanations
Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills
Students should be familiar with the structure of atoms, atomic mass, atomic number, and isotopes.