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Chapter 14.2
Chapter 14.2 vocab
Term | Definition |
---|---|
radiometric dating | a method of determining the absolute age of an objects by comparing the relative percentages of a radioactive (parent) isotope and a stable (daughter) isotope |
isotope | atoms of the same element that differ in the number of neutrons they contain |
mass number | the sum of the numbers of protons and neutrons in the nucleus |
radioactive decay | when an isotopes nuclei release particles or radiant energy, or both, until the nuclei become stable |
radioactive isotope | an isotope that has an unstable nucleus and that emits radiation |
half-life | the time required for half of a sample of a radioactive isotope to break down by radioactive decay to form a daughter isotope |
microsphere | spherical in shape and composed of many protein molecules that are organized as a membrane |
coacervate | collections of droplets that are composed of molecules of different types, including lipids, amino acids, and sugars |