Radiometric Dating and Radioactive Decay

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 radioactive decay?

Back

The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation.

Front

What is a half-life?

Back

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

Front

Why is plate tectonics important in radiometric dating?

Back

Plate tectonics can recycle and destroy rocks, making it difficult to obtain accurate radiometric dates.

Front

How do you calculate the number of half-lives that have passed?

Back

By determining the remaining percentage of the original radioactive isotope.

Front

If a rock has 12.5% uranium remaining, how many half-lives have passed?

Back

2 half-lives.

Front

What percentage of carbon-14 remains after 22,800 years?

Back

6.25%.

Front

Which radioactive isotope has the longest half-life?

Back

Rubidium-87.

Front

How much of a 50-gram sample remains after 500 years if the half-life is 100 years?

Back

10 grams.

Front

What is the significance of knowing the half-life of a radioactive isotope?

Back

It helps in determining the age of materials and understanding the decay process.