Chapter 22, Problem 4AWK

Summary Introduction

To review

As to why the suspected age of the fossil determines which isotope an investigator might use to try to date it.

Introduction:

Radiometric dating is the most common technique used to date rocks and fossils. This technique takes advantage of radioactive isotopes of elements. These radioactive isotopes are inherently unstable and radiate, or give off particles until they reach a more stable state, which is sometimes a completely different, more stable atom. The age of a mineral/fossil can be determined by measuring the number of radioactive isotopes.