11.4 Absolute Dating Flashcards
1
Q
Absolute-age dating
A
Various methods that allow scientists to determine the actual age of rocks and other geological materials.
2
Q
Isotopes
A
Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei.
3
Q
Nuclide
A
The general term of any isotope of any element, characterized by a specific number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
4
Q
Radioactive decay
A
The process by which nuclides spontaneously change into different nuclides through the emission of subatomic particles.
5
Q
Radiometric dating
A
The use of isotopes and radioactive decay to determine the age of geologic materials.
6
Q
Half-life
A
The amount of time that it takes for half of the atoms of a radioactive isotope to decay into its daughter isotope.
