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The term radioactivity was coined by experimenters around the year 1900, who discovered that blackening of photographic plates was caused by uranium compounds, even when the plates were wrapped in black paper. Later experiments showed that there are three main types of radioactivity, and these were named alpha, beta, and gamma from the first three letters of the Greek alpabet.

The 'radio' in the term means that it is a form of radiation, nothing to do with the 'wireless' radio which was developed by Marconi.

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Why are radioactive materials used to date rocks rocks?

Radioactive materials decay at predictable rates


What has more radioactive decay older or younger rock?

Older rocks typically have undergone more radioactive decay compared to younger rocks, as they have had more time for the decay process to occur. This results in older rocks having lower levels of certain radioactive isotopes and higher levels of daughter isotopes which are products of radioactive decay.


How do scienistuse the rate at which radioactive elements decay on rocks?

give a irect answer ^


What is the source of heat in the Earth interior?

The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.


When radioactive isotopes break down into other elements the process is called?

radioactive decay


What is radioactive dating and how is it used to determine the age of rocks and fossils?

Radioactive dating is a method used to determine the age of rocks and fossils by measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes within them. This process relies on the principle that certain isotopes decay at a known rate over time, allowing scientists to calculate the age of the sample based on the amount of remaining radioactive isotopes.


What is the radiometric dating formula used to determine the age of rocks and fossils?

The radiometric dating formula used to determine the age of rocks and fossils is based on the decay of radioactive isotopes. One common formula is the equation for radioactive decay: N N0 e(-t), where N is the amount of radioactive isotope remaining, N0 is the initial amount of the isotope, is the decay constant, and t is the time elapsed.


How is Radioactive decay used?

Radioactive decay is used in various applications, such as dating rocks and fossils, conducting medical imaging (e.g. PET scans), generating electricity in nuclear power plants, and sterilizing medical equipment. The rate at which radioactive isotopes decay can provide valuable information about the age and composition of materials.


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 decay used to determine the absolute ages of rocks?

**this happens because it does. is a common answer i receive but is not true. BUT the answer IS that radioactive decay is used to determine the ABSOLUTE age of rocks because it is more accurate, and because when you put radioactive decay and you put a rock there, you see a process going on. correct me if I'm wrong but i believe that using this is receive don't listen to what i say below: When you take radioactive material, and you put a solid in there, what happens? COMBUSTION! this is caused by a CHEMICAL REACTION. so common sense tells me that when you put radioactive decay to determine a rocks absolute age, its common knowledge that they use it for accuracy, and they take the age and see how old it (the rocks) are. that's how they know the age of rocks. (look in your every day science book it should say) hope this helped :3 :D **


Why radioactive decay use to determine the absolute age of rocks?

**this happens because it does. is a common answer i receive but is not true. BUT the answer IS that radioactive decay is used to determine the ABSOLUTE age of rocks because it is more accurate, and because when you put radioactive decay and you put a rock there, you see a process going on. correct me if I'm wrong but i believe that using this is receive don't listen to what i say below: When you take radioactive material, and you put a solid in there, what happens? COMBUSTION! this is caused by a CHEMICAL REACTION. so common sense tells me that when you put radioactive decay to determine a rocks absolute age, its common knowledge that they use it for accuracy, and they take the age and see how old it (the rocks) are. that's how they know the age of rocks. (look in your every day science book it should say) hope this helped :3 :D **


Why does radiometric dating work to determine the age of rocks and fossils?

Radiometric dating works to determine the age of rocks and fossils by measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes within them. This decay occurs at a constant rate, allowing scientists to calculate the age of the sample based on the amount of remaining radioactive isotopes.