Radiometric Dating Vocab

Question 1

Isotope

Answer 1

Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons and a different number of neutrons

Question 2

Parent Isotope

Answer 2

Unstable radioactive isotope

Question 3

Daughter Isotope

Answer 3

Stable isotope made from radioactive decay of parent isotope

Question 4

Radioactive Decay

Define
Use

Answer 4

Radioactive isotopes decay until they become stable isotopes of the same/new element (nucleus breaks down)

Scientists use radioactive decay to find ages fossils and rocks.

Question 5

Radiometric Dating

Answer 5

Finding the absolute age using the ratio of parent to daughter material.

Question 6

Half-life

Answer 6

The time it takes for half of a radioactive isotope to decay

Question 7

Radioactive

Answer 7

What scientists call unstable isotopes

Question 8

Carbon 14 Method: radiocarbon dating

What it dates and define
What rocks it can date
What Carbon 14 turns into
Half-life

Answer 8

Dates bones, wood, and charcoal. Scientists use ratio of isotopes in an organism to isotopes in the environment to date. Can only be used on igneous and metamorphic rocks because for sedimentary you can only find original rock age.

Carbon 14 turns into Nitrogen 14

Half-life: 5,730 years