Absolute Dating Answers

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Which property of argon makes it useful for potassium-argon dating?

It decays into potassium.

It is an unstable element.

It remains trapped in rock.

It is useful only for dating newer rock.

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Which values do scientists compare when using potassium-argon dating?

the number of stable and unstable parent atoms

the number of non-decayed elements left in the rock

the amount of parent and daughter material trapped in the rock

the amount of gas from the decayed material that has escaped from rock

Which phrase describes one characteristic of radioactive elements?

are produced in a laboratory

decay at a constant rate

have a consistent number of particles

release energy and particles to maintain radioactivity

Which phrase describes the element carbon-14?

decays at an unknown rate

found in an organism’s remains

forms from the breakdown of nitrogen-14

is measured to determine the age of sedimentary rocks

Which statement explains why carbon-14 dating cannot be used to date ancient rocks?

Carbon-14 decays at a varying rate.

Carbon-14 decays quickly leaving the amount too small to measure.

Carbon-14 can be used only to date the remains of organisms.

Carbon-14 has a half-life that is much longer than potassium.

Which statement describes what happens to elements during radioactive decay?

They release energy.

They gain new particles.

They lose energy at a varying rate.

They have a consistent number of particles.

Which statement accurately describes radioactive dating?

Geologists use only one type of radioactive dating.

Geologists compare parent and daughter elements to determine rock type.

Geologists will measure how stable multiple parent elements can decay into multiple daughter elements.

Geologist compare the observed abundance of naturally occurring radioactive isotopes and their decay products using decay rates.

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