Which radioactive isotopes from the following would be relatively the best from the following to determine the absolute ages for igneous rocks? Select from the following and explain. A. Sm-Nd B. Th-Pb C. C-N D. U-Pb E. K-Ar
Which radioactive isotopes from the following would be relatively the best from the following to determine the absolute ages for igneous rocks?
Select from the following and explain.
A. Sm-Nd
B. Th-Pb
C. C-N
D. U-Pb
E. K-Ar
The method of dating rocks and minerals using radioactive isotopes is known as radioactive dating. Radioactive decay is a natural process by which stable atomic nuclei become unstable and release radioactive particles.
Here the radioactive parent element decays into the radioactive daughter element. The rate of decay is the amount of the parent atom that decays in unit time.
To date a sample with a particular radioactive dating method we must know its half-life.
Let us use a carbon nitrogen dating method to date a particular sample. The half-life of a carbon atom is 5370 years. That is it will take 5370 years to decay to half of its original value.
If we have only 25% of carbon left in a sample then it's age is 5370 + 5370/2. This much of age.
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