Half-Life

Question 1

Are the smallest units of matter that retain the characteristics of an element

Answer 1

Atoms

Question 2

Is a substance composed of atoms that all have the same properties

Answer 2

Element

Question 3

Behave the same chemically but have different atomic mass numbers

Answer 3

Isotopes

Question 4

Process in which an unstable atomic nucleus is transformed into a more stable atomic nucleus of a different element

Answer 4

Radioactive decay

Question 5

Used to determine absolute ages of rocks

Answer 5

Unstable isotopes

Question 6

The time it takes for one half of the original unstable radioactive parent to element to decay a new more stable daughter element

Answer 6

Half-life

Question 7

I have 100 g of radioactive iodine that has a half life of 1000 years. How long will it take for half of the iodine to decay to a more stable form?

How much radioactive iodine will be left after 1 half life ?

I now have 12.5g of radioactive iodine left. How much time has passed ?

Answer 7

1000 years
50 g
3000 years

Question 8

Used primarily to date ancient igneous intrusions, lunar samples , and meteorites

Answer 8

Uranium-lead and thorium lead

Question 9

Typically used to date fine-grained volcanic rocks

Answer 9

Potassium argon