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The rate at which radioactive isotopes emit energy called?
This the decay (disintegration) rate.
Why are the relative and absolute ages so important to a scientist in geology?
It is quicker and can be done in the field for a quick age referencing of a rock sample.
How the process of radioactive decay can provide more accurate measurements of age compared to relative age dating?
Because radioactive decay happens at a constant rate. Once you figure out the rate of decay, called the half life, you can date stuff.
What term used to describe rate of radioactive isotopes?
Half-life (in units of time).Half-Life is the rate of radioactive decay, measured in time. The half life gives the time it take for half of the radioactive atoms in a system to decay. Fore example, if you have 10 grams of carbon-14, it will take 5730 years for half of it to decay, giving you 5 grams. In another 5730 years, you'll have 2.5 grams left, etc...Isotopes decay at an exponential rate. A half-life is the time that half of the population of an isotope will decay. The measure is a statistical probability and is more accurate when a large population is observed. The term half-life is applied to describe a property of a given isotope (i.e. the half-life of Carbon 14 is 5730).half life
What is the effect of pressure on the rate of radioactive decay?
Pressure does not affect the rate of radioactive decay. That is entirely unaffected by the environment within the nucleus of the atom.
Isotopes which have unstable nucleus and break down at a constant rate over time?
radioactive isotopes! :)
The rate at which radioactive isotopes emit energy called?
This the decay (disintegration) rate.
Why are the relative and absolute ages so important to a scientist in geology?
It is quicker and can be done in the field for a quick age referencing of a rock sample.
Which phrase describes one characteristic of radioactive elements?
decay at a constant rate
How the process of radioactive decay can provide more accurate measurements of age compared to relative age dating?
Because radioactive decay happens at a constant rate. Once you figure out the rate of decay, called the half life, you can date stuff.
Do all radioactive isotopes follow the half-life single rate or are there those that decay at multiple rates throughout their decay?
In general, a radioactive substance decays at a constant rate throughout time. That is not to say that the same number of decays occur per unit time. They cannot, and this is because the sample is shrinking as radioactive decay "claims" more and more of it. The decays per second is decreasing. But the rate of decay remains constant. There are some instances where slight changes in decay rates of a couple of different radioactive substances occur when we put them in extreme magnetic fields. But, by and large, the decay rates of radionuclides are constant. Additionally, we've gone to great lengths in an attempt to induce changes in the decay rates of a number of radionuclides, but they've proved themselves sublimely resistant to any manipulation by the likes of us, even as clever as we are.
How are isotope and half life are related?
Not all isotopes have a half life: many are stable. The concept is applicable only for radioactive isotopes. Atoms of radioactive isotopes "decay" into other atoms. The probability that a particular atom decays in any given time period is constant and so the process is an exponential one which depends on the overall rate and the number of atoms which are available for decay. The half life for an isotope is the period after which half the atoms have decayed.
Radioactive decay can be affected by?
The rate of decay of a radioactive element cannot be influenced by any physical or chemical change. It is a rather constant phenomenon that appears to be independent of all others. The rate of decay is given by an element's half life, which is the amount of time for approximately half of the atoms to decay.
How is a radioactive elements rate of decay like a ticking of a clock?
The ticking of a clock is constant, occurring at a steady rhythm/frequency. While the decay of radioactive elements cannot be determined at a particular point in time, they do decay at a fairly steady rate over time. This allows you to statistically determine the rate at which a mass of radioactive material will steadily decay. So, the decay rate is steady, predictable, and follows a sort of rhythm over time just like the ticking of a clock.
How is a radioactive element's rate of decay like the ticking of a clock?
The ticking of a clock is constant, occurring at a steady rhythm/frequency. While the decay of radioactive elements cannot be determined at a particular point in time, they do decay at a fairly steady rate over time. This allows you to statistically determine the rate at which a mass of radioactive material will steadily decay. So, the decay rate is steady, predictable, and follows a sort of rhythm over time just like the ticking of a clock.
How is a radioactive element's rate of decay like a ticking of a clock?
The ticking of a clock is constant, occurring at a steady rhythm/frequency. While the decay of radioactive elements cannot be determined at a particular point in time, they do decay at a fairly steady rate over time. This allows you to statistically determine the rate at which a mass of radioactive material will steadily decay. So, the decay rate is steady, predictable, and follows a sort of rhythm over time just like the ticking of a clock.
Are radioactive dating and radioactive decay the same?
Flying a kite is not the same as the wind blowing, but you need one for the other. Radioactive decay is not the same as radioactive dating, but you need the decay to get the date. Radioactive isotopes each of a characteristic decay rate and if one knows the amount of such an isotope in an object when it was created, the level of radioactivity decreases predictably with age and one can calculate the age by knowing the decrease. Radioactive decay is good for a lot of other things too, just like the wind.
