Why were candies used for this lab? (Replace the word “candy” with whatever you chose to use)
a Candy is easy to clean up and students will enjoy eating them at the end of the lab.
b Candy is the same size as an atom and makes half-life easy to visualize.
c Candy simulates how atoms radioactively decay and how rocks of different ages have varied amounts of radioactive and decayed elements.
d Candy is a safe and non-toxic material that can be manipulated and handled by students without any harm.
The answer is option c. Candy is used in this lab to simulate how atoms radioactively decay and how rocks of different ages have varied amounts of radioactive and decayed elements.
The explanation for why candies were used in this lab depends on the specific context and purpose of the lab. Let's break down each option:
a) Candy is easy to clean up and students will enjoy eating them at the end of the lab: This option suggests that candies were chosen for their convenience. They are easy to handle, do not create a mess, and can be easily disposed of or consumed as a treat after the lab.
b) Candy is the same size as an atom and makes half-life easy to visualize: This option indicates that candies were selected to represent atoms. By using candies that are similar in size to atoms, students can observe and understand concepts related to half-life and radioactivity more easily.
c) Candy simulates how atoms radioactively decay and how rocks of different ages have varied amounts of radioactive and decayed elements: This choice suggests that candies were used to simulate the decay of atoms and the variability of radioactive elements in rocks. Through this representation, students can study and analyze the rates of decay and understand the principles involved in dating rocks.
Depending on the specific aims and objectives of the lab, any of these reasons could be the motivation behind using candies. It is important to consider the context and learning outcomes of the lab to determine the most appropriate answer.