15.5 Age of rocks/fossils Flashcards
1
Q
Radiometric Dating
A
a method for determining the precise age of fossils/rocks based on the half life of radioactive isotopes
2
Q
Half Life
A
the amount of time it takes for 1/2 of the atmos of a radioactive isotope to decay into its stable form
3
Q
What is the most common isotope used in radioactive dating?
A
Carbon 14 (c-14)
4
Q
What is the atomic build up of Carbon 14
A
6p+
8n-
5
Q
What is the half life of C-14
A
5730 yrs
6
Q
What is the most common gas in the atmosphere
A
nitrogen - 14
7
Q
Fossils older than 60,000 years need to use ______ instead of C-14
A
potassium
