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Absolute Dating

Absolute Dating. Absolute dating is the determination of an exact date Geologists use radiometric dating, which follows the principle of radioactive decay Radioactive decay occurs when a radioactive atom spontaneously decays to a different atom at regular rates through time.

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Absolute Dating

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  1. Absolute Dating • Absolute dating is the determination of an exact date • Geologists use radiometric dating, which follows the principle of radioactive decay • Radioactive decay occurs when a radioactive atom spontaneously decays to a different atom at regular rates through time

  2. The Parent Isotope (P) is the starting isotope, and can be found in a newly formed crystal or seashell. If this isotope is radioactive it decays to: • The Daughter Isotope (D), which is a stable isotope 

  3. The Half Life (T1/2) is the time it takes for ½ of the parent atoms to decay to stable daughters • Ages can be determined if the T1/2 and percentage of parent and daughter isotopes is known

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