Chapter 20, Problem 100RQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The amount of $\text{K}-\text{40}$ present for the given rock sample is to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

For calculating the age of a rock sample, radiological dating is taken into consideration, which is based on the half-lives of radio nuclides. It uses radiological dating pair of isotopes that undergo ‘parent’ to ‘daughter’ radioactive disintegrations.

The most commonly used isotopes for such purposes are $\text{K}-\text{40}$ and $\text{Ar}-\text{40}$. $\text{K}-\text{40}$ is a naturally occurring radionuclide while $\text{Ar}-\text{40}$ is one of the daughter disintegrations of $\text{K}-\text{40}$.