Fast and the Curious Week 17: Science 8

Front

What is the half-life of a radioactive isotope?

Back

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

Front

According to the law of superposition, which layer is the youngest?

Back

The youngest layer is the one that is on top of the other layers, assuming the layers have not been disturbed.

Front

What does the law of superposition state?

Back

Younger rocks lie above older rocks if the layers have not been disturbed.

Front

If a 50-gram sample of a radioactive isotope has a half-life of 200 years, how much will remain after 400 years?

Back

12.5 grams will remain after 400 years.

Front

If only 10 grams of a radioactive isotope remains from a 50-gram sample, how old is the sample if the half-life is 200 years?

Back

The sample is 450 years old.

Front

What is radioactive decay?

Back

Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation.

Front

What is the significance of a half-life in radioactive dating?

Back

The half-life helps determine the age of a sample by measuring how much of the radioactive isotope remains.

Front

What is the difference between relative dating and absolute dating?

Back

Relative dating determines the order of events, while absolute dating provides a specific age.

Front

What is an unconformity in geology?

Back

An unconformity is a surface that represents a gap in the geological record, often due to erosion or non-deposition.

Front

What is the purpose of using radioactive isotopes in dating rocks?

Back

Radioactive isotopes are used to determine the age of rocks and fossils through their decay rates.