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Absolute Dating
Geologic Time Part 2
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Absolute Dating | Using radioactive decay to determine the exact age of a rock, fossil, or event |
| Radioactive Decay | The disintegration of an isotope over time |
| Isotopes | Variations of an element that have the same atomic number but differing atomic masses |
| Half-Life | The time required for half of a radioactive product to decay to a stable product |
| Half-Life Is Not Effected By | By any environmental factors such as temperature, pressure, or chemical reactions |
| Uranium-238 | One of the most important isotopes when dating rocks or events millions of years ago (Mass: 238 units Decay: uranium-238 -> lead-206 Half-Life: 4,500,000,000 years) |
| Carbon-14 | One of the most important isotopes when dating organic remains within tens or thousands of years (Mass: 14 units Decay: carbon-14 -> nitrogen-14 Half-Life: 5,700 years) |