answersLogoWhite

0

Radioactive dating is only useful in dating igneous and metamorphic rock. Organic material that has not fossilized and does not exceed 70,000 years of age can be dated by Carbon dating techniques. Sedimentary rock can only be dated by its association with igneous and metamorphic rock.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Earth Science

What type of rock does radioactive dating work best with?

Radioactive dating works best with igneous rocks, particularly those formed from the cooling of molten lava or magma. This is because the mineral crystals in igneous rocks lock in the radioactive isotopes when they form, providing a reliable record of the time that has passed since the rock solidified. Sedimentary rocks are generally less reliable for radioactive dating due to their mixture of different rock fragments.


What type of rock is best for radioactive dating?

Sedimentary rocks are not ideal for radioactive dating because they are made up of material that can be eroded and re-deposited, which can affect the accuracy of the age determination. Igneous rocks, particularly volcanic rocks like basalts or granites, are more suitable for radioactive dating because they form from the cooling of magma or lava and retain the isotopic compositions at the time of their formation.


Why is radioactive dating not used on sedimentary raock?

Sedimentary rock is not original source material, its rock that got ground into sand, settled (usually under water), got buried, and then got heated and squeezed back into a form of rock. Lots of sources.


Scientists date igneous rocks to indirectly date nearby sedimentary rocks Why doesn't radiometric dating typically work on sedimentary rocks?

Radiometric dating relies on the presence of radioactive isotopes that decay over time into stable isotopes. Sedimentary rocks are composed of weathered fragments of other rocks and minerals, so they do not usually contain the necessary radioactive isotopes for radiometric dating. This makes it difficult to directly date sedimentary rocks using radiometric methods.


What is Radioactive dating of rock samples?

Radioactive dating of rock samples determines the age of rocks from the time it was formed. Geologist determine the age of rocks using radioactive dating. The radioactive dating relies on spontaneous decomposition into other element. The spontaneous decomposition is called radioactive decay.

Related Questions

What type of rock does radioactive dating work best with?

Radioactive dating works best with igneous rocks, particularly those formed from the cooling of molten lava or magma. This is because the mineral crystals in igneous rocks lock in the radioactive isotopes when they form, providing a reliable record of the time that has passed since the rock solidified. Sedimentary rocks are generally less reliable for radioactive dating due to their mixture of different rock fragments.


What type of rock is best for radioactive dating?

Sedimentary rocks are not ideal for radioactive dating because they are made up of material that can be eroded and re-deposited, which can affect the accuracy of the age determination. Igneous rocks, particularly volcanic rocks like basalts or granites, are more suitable for radioactive dating because they form from the cooling of magma or lava and retain the isotopic compositions at the time of their formation.


Why are igneous rocks the best type of rock sample for radio metric dating?

Igneous rocks are the best type of rock samples for radiometric dating because they form from the cooling and solidification of molten material, which allows for the incorporation of radioactive isotopes at the time of crystallization. This means that the isotopic ratios can provide accurate age estimates for when the rock solidified. Additionally, since igneous rocks typically do not undergo significant changes after their formation, the original radioactive elements remain relatively undisturbed, ensuring reliable dating results.


Does radioactive dating tell the relative age of rocks?

Radioactive dating techniques, such as radiocarbon dating or uranium-lead dating, provide an absolute age for rocks by measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes within them. This helps determine the actual age of rocks rather than their relative age.


Why is radioactive dating not used on sedimentary raock?

Sedimentary rock is not original source material, its rock that got ground into sand, settled (usually under water), got buried, and then got heated and squeezed back into a form of rock. Lots of sources.


What does a radioactive dating estimate about the earth's formation with isotopes of uranium and thorium?

Radioactive dating estimate the age of rocks.


Would you use uranium- lead radiometric dating to find an igneous rocks age?

would you use uranium-lead radiometric dating to finnd an igneous rocks age


Scientists date igneous rocks to indirectly date nearby sedimentary rocks Why doesn't radiometric dating typically work on sedimentary rocks?

Radiometric dating relies on the presence of radioactive isotopes that decay over time into stable isotopes. Sedimentary rocks are composed of weathered fragments of other rocks and minerals, so they do not usually contain the necessary radioactive isotopes for radiometric dating. This makes it difficult to directly date sedimentary rocks using radiometric methods.


Are igneous rocks radioactive?

Igneous rocks can contain radioactive minerals, but they are not inherently radioactive themselves. The level of radioactivity in an igneous rock depends on its mineral composition, particularly the presence of uranium, thorium, or potassium isotopes. Some igneous rocks, like granite, may have higher levels of natural radioactivity due to these minerals, while others may have little to no radioactivity. Overall, the degree of radioactivity varies widely among different igneous rock types.


What rocks is numeric dating good for?

igneous, granite etc


Which type of rocks are best for numerical dating using radiometric technique?

Igneous rocks


Absolute dating is best performed on rocks formed?

Absolute dating is best performed on igneous rocks formed from volcanic activity, as they contain radioactive elements that decay at a known rate and can be used to determine the rock's age. Sedimentary rocks are typically dated using the fossils contained within them, allowing for a relative dating technique rather than absolute dating.