M&M Experiment and Half-Life Concepts

The video tutorial demonstrates an M&M half-life lab experiment. Starting with 80 M&Ms face down, the experiment involves shaking them for 10 seconds and counting how many flip face up. This process is repeated multiple times to simulate radioactive decay and understand the concept of half-life. The results are recorded, and students are instructed to graph the data to visualize the decay process. The tutorial emphasizes the randomness of decay and the concept of half-life in a fun and engaging way.

What is the initial number of M&Ms used in the experiment?

• 80

• 50

• 60

• 70

What is the purpose of shaking the box of M&Ms?

• To change their flavor

• To simulate radioactive decay

• To mix the colors

• To count the M&Ms

After the first shake, how many M&Ms were face up?

• 17

• 38

• 42

• 25

How many M&Ms remained face down after the first shake?

• 38

• 42

• 25

• 17

After the second shake, how many M&Ms were face up?

• 17

• 13

• 25

• 8

What is the pattern observed in the number of M&Ms flipping over with each shake?

• About half of the remaining M&Ms flip over

• No M&Ms flip over

• All M&Ms flip over

• Only one M&M flips over

How many M&Ms were left after the third shake?

• 25

• 13

• 8

• 3

What is the final number of M&Ms left after all shakes?

• 1

• 3

• 5

• 8

What should be plotted on the y-axis when graphing the data?

• Number of shakes

• Time in seconds

• Number of M&Ms

• Color of M&Ms

What does each 10-second shake represent in terms of half-life?

• A full life

• A quarter life

• A half-life

• A double life