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Absolute Age

Absolute Age. Attempts at Absolute Age. Became more important in the age of Darwin. Rate of Sedimentation If the rate was constant over time, then we could tell how old rocks are by their thickness. Radioactivity. Isotopes – elements with different mass number (different number of Neutrons)

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Absolute Age

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  1. Absolute Age

  2. Attempts at Absolute Age • Became more important in the age of Darwin. • Rate of Sedimentation • If the rate was constant over time, then we could tell how old rocks are by their thickness

  3. Radioactivity • Isotopes – elements with different mass number (different number of Neutrons) • These Isotopes break down over time

  4. Radioactive Decay • Release of particles from the nucleus • This decay happens in a predictable way for each element

  5. Rates of Decay • Half Life- time required for half of the radioactive isotope to decay. • Rate of decay are unchanged by environmental conditions • This allows them to be a reliable source for dating

  6. The Rock Clock • Radiometric Dating – use of radioactive decay to date rock ages • Based on the amount of radioactive material left in a rock

  7. The math of radiometric dating What percentage of a radioactive element would you have left after 1 half life? 50% What about 2 half lives? 25% What about 3 half lives? 12.5%

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