Radioactive Dating

Question 1

Absolute Dating

Answer 1

Methods which use techniques to measure the physical properties of a rock and use these measurements to calculate its approximate chronological age

Question 2

Radiometric Dating

Answer 2

A method used to determine the absolute age of an object based on the concentration of a certain radioactive isotope contained within it. The method works by measuring the ratio of the isotope to its decay products, with indicated the time elapsed since the formation of the object.

Question 3

Relative Time Scale

Answer 3

A scale of time created using the relative sequencing of events. e.g. I woke up, then I got dressed

Question 4

Absolute Timescale

Answer 4

A scale of time created using the absolute sequencing of events. e.g. I woke up at 7 am, I got dressed at 7:10 am

Question 5

What is it called when an isotope has an unstable nucleus?

Answer 5

Radioactivity

Question 6

Radioactive Decay

Answer 6

When an unstable isotope changes its number of protons, neutrons, or both, transforming the isotope.

Question 7

Parent isotope

Answer 7

The atomic nucleus that decays during radioactive decay.

Question 8

Daughter isotope

Answer 8

The product of radioactive decay.

Question 9

Half-life

Answer 9

The time it takes for the amount of unstable isotope to reduce in half.

Question 10

How is radioactive decay used to date minerals?

Answer 10

Some minerals in rocks and organic matter can contain radioactive isotopes. The amounts of parent and daughter isotopes in a sample can be measured. The older the sample, the more of the radioactive isotope it will contain. This info can be used to determine the sample’s age.