Investigating radiation in the air we breathe
Radioactive radon gas is a decay product of uranium and thorium, which are found naturally in rocks, soil and building materials. Radon is a significant component of background radiation and can accumulate in poorly ventilated indoor environments. In this data set, we investigated the effect of charging a balloon, which was then hung in an enclosed space, on its level of radioactivity.
Students will:
- Write a hypothesis, graph data, write a conclusion
- Use provided information to answer questions about radioactivity and radon
- Discuss experimental design, accuracy, validity and reliability