answersLogoWhite

0

How is the absolute age of a rock determined?

Updated: 4/28/2022
User Avatar

Knightowl

Lvl 1
11y ago

Best Answer

If igneous or metamorphic ( though metamorphic rock is hard to do ) radiometric dating can be used. The radioactive substance that may be in igneous rock devolves into a daughter substance and the rate of this change, coupled with other parent/daughter changes, give one a very precise age on the rock being examined.

Google radiometric dating.

User Avatar

Elinor McDermott

Lvl 13
2y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

If igneous or metamorphic ( though metamorphic rock is hard to do ) radiometric dating can be used. The radioactive substance that may be in igneous rock devolves into a daughter substance and the rate of this change, coupled with other parent/daughter changes, give one a very precise age on the rock being examined.

Google radiometric dating.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How is the absolute age of a rock determined?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What is absolute age?

Absolute age is the age of a rock as determined by the measurement of radioactive decay from the time of the rock's formation.


The absolute age of a rock is the approximate number of years ago that the rock formed The absolute age of an igneous rock can best be determined by?

It is best determined by radiometric dating techniques which measure the decay of radioactive elements.


The absolute age of a rock is the approximate number of years ago that the rock formed. The absolute age of an igneous rock can best be determined by?

It is best determined by radiometric dating techniques which measure the decay of radioactive elements.


How can the absolute age of rock be determined?

Through Radioactive Dating or Isotopic Dating.


What is the true age of a rock or fossil?

The method used will be determined by the rock type, but the age of a rock will be determined by a determination of the amount of decay of a radioactive isotope, either contained in the rock, or in a geologic layer of rock coinciding with a fossil.


How can you determine the absolute age of an igneous rock?

Relative age can be determined using superposition and cross-cutting relationships. Absolute age can only be determined using radiometric dating methods, such as Rb-Sr.


How can the absolute age of a rock be determined?

Through Radioactive Dating or Isotopic Dating.


How can absolute age based on rates of erosion and deposition be inaccurate?

The absolute age of rock is determined by the amount of radioactive decay, not by the rate of erosion and deposition.


What method do geologists use to determined the absolute age of a rock?

Radioactive dating is used to determine the absolute ages of rocks. By Jennifer Palos


What is the difference between the relative age and absolute age of rocks?

Relative age is the age of a rock relative to the rock layers around it, absolute age is a rock's exact age.


What is the purpose of absolute dating?

Absolute geologic age is determined through radiometric dating, and is the most precise method for determining the age of a rock or fossil within a small range. Relative geologic age is determined by the index fossils that may be contained within the rock that indicate a much broader range of possible ages based on the time the organism existed on Earth.


The half-life of an element is used in determining what characteristic of a particular rock?

The absolute age of a rock is determined by the amount of decay of certain elements as interpreted from their known half-life. The absolute age is stated in a number of years with a margin of error, as opposed to the relative age, which is more of a range of years in which the rock could have formed, based on index fossil evidence and the law of superposition.