Radiometric Dating

Front

What is Radiometric Dating?

Back

A method used to date materials by comparing the abundance of a radioactive isotope to its decay products.

Front

What is a half-life?

Back

The length of time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

Front

How does absolute age differ from relative age?

Back

Only absolute dating finds the age in years, while relative dating indicates which rock is older than another.

Front

If the original mass of a radioactive isotope was 24 grams, how many grams would remain after 3 half-lives?

Back

3 grams.

Front

What percentage of Rubidium-87 will remain after 4 half-lives?

Back

6.25%.

Front

What is the significance of Carbon-14 in radiometric dating?

Back

Carbon-14 is used to date organic materials up to about 50,000 years old.

Front

What is the formula to calculate remaining mass after n half-lives?

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Remaining mass = Original mass × (1/2)^n.

Front

What is the decay constant in radiometric dating?

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A value that represents the probability of decay of a radioactive isotope per unit time.

Front

What is the difference between isotopes and elements?

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Isotopes are variants of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

Front

How can radiometric dating be used to determine the age of fossils?

Back

By measuring the amount of radioactive isotopes in the fossil and comparing it to the known half-lives.