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What is important in order for a radioisotope to provide accurate dating results?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Verified answer
The half-life should be similar to the age of the object.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Minnie Crist
The sample must contain radioactive elements.
BIG GLIZZY
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoThe assumptions needed for radiometric dating to be useful and reasonably accurate are:
- that no material has been added or lost from the material being dated.
- that the rate of decay of the radioactive element has not changed over the time that the object has existed.
The first assumption must be supported for each analysis by assessment of the object to be dated, and must be maintained throughout the analysis through the use of appropriate procedures to prevent contamination or loss.
The second assumption is basic to our current understanding of the universe.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoRadiometric dating is a sophisticated science, and requires complex equipment. There are many different decay processes used for dating.
Taking K-Ar as an example, the sample must be selected from a rock believed to be representative of the geological process being investigated.
From this, commonly a mica would be selected for the actual measurement, for mica is one of the last minerals to form from the metamorphic melt, and is thus regarded as an 'end-point' mineral as far as dating is concerned.
From part of the sample the Ar component is extracted - necessarily done under careful conditions; and from another part of the sample,the K is extracted, and the proportion of K in the sample is determined to an accuracy of about 1%.
In the actual radioactive decay, about 90% of the time, the decay is to 40Ca, and in the other 10% of the time into 40Ar. There is a third more rare decay. The realistic assumption is that all the 40Ar originated as 40K.
Fundamentally Ar is a noble gas, and thus does not form compounds, and the radiometric Ar will remain entrained in the mineral matrix over the life of the process. The half-life of the 40K to40Ar is about 1.25x109 years, so it is particularly well suited to geological studies.
Other radiometric decays use the actual signature of the decay process as the measure of that event. So commonly will use detectors that are calibrated to look for x-rays of a particular energy.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoAn accurate radiometric date can be obtained only if the mineral remained in a closed system during the entire period since it's formation.
Why fair test is important in science?
A fair test is important so you can get accurate and unbiased results.
What is an observation and measurements recorded during an experiment?
The observations and measurements recorded during an experiment are called data. It is important to keep accurate data in order to understand the results of the experiment.
Why are assumptions and hypotheses important in research?
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation of something. These are important because it helps test different ideas and theories for research to get more accurate results.
Why is it important for observations to be accurate?
A scientist must make accurate observations because usually these results are going to be communicated to others. Some people might even want to do the same experiment so you have to give the right directions before something bad happens. However, though, in experiments, scientists repeat their trails for more accurate results.
What is the role of a scientist?
To report accurate results.
Why it is important to graph accurately and clearly?
To provide accurate and clear results.
How important is accurate measurement's in cooking?
Accurate measurements help allow for accurate results in cooking. A perfect example is in baking.
Why fair test is important in science?
A fair test is important so you can get accurate and unbiased results.
How important is measuring in cooking?
Accurate measurements help allow for accurate results in cooking. A perfect example is in baking.
How important is it to have accurate measurements in science?
Very, the more accurate the the measurements the more accurate the results, thus furthering more accurate tests down the road based on said results. The more tests you do on bad results the further off the results get with every test you do. Changing the independent of the test with bad measurements would void a result.
Why is it important to do an experiment more than one time?
We retest our experiments to insure accurate results and to compare with our original results.
Why is peer review important when publishing experiment results?
To make sure what you publish is correctly, and to provide crosscheck of your methods and results.
What would result from under coverage?
A lack of accurate results APEX :D
Why was it important for mendel study such a large sample of pea plants?
(Apex Learning) A higher sample size gives more accurate results.
What is an observation and measurements recorded during an experiment?
The observations and measurements recorded during an experiment are called data. It is important to keep accurate data in order to understand the results of the experiment.
Why is it important to follow the gram staining procedure?
This is simply important in order to have accurate staining results. If this is not followed, the process of the staining will result to false positives or false negatives.
Why are assumptions in hypotheses important in research?
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation of something. These are important because it helps test different ideas and theories for research to get more accurate results.
