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Radioactive Decay

Also known as nuclear decay, radioactive decay is the decrease of radiation through time.

500 Questions

Can you use carbon dating to find out how old something is around 40 years old or newer?

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Asked by Onnee

Carbon dating is not usually used for samples younger than 50,000 years because the amount of radioactive carbon-14 left in such recent samples is too small to accurately measure. For objects around 40 years old or newer, other dating methods like tree-ring dating or historical records are more appropriate.

How were the Shroud of Turin carbon dating test results inaccurate?

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Asked by Wiki User

The accuracy of the carbon dating test results for the Shroud of Turin has been questioned due to concerns about contamination, possible repair work in the past, and the fact that the sample used for testing may not have been representative of the entire shroud. Some scientists suggest that these factors may have skewed the results, leading to inaccuracies in dating the shroud.

What is the penetrating ability of the 3 different types of nuclear decay and nuclear decay questions?

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Asked by Wiki User

Alpha particles have low penetrating ability and can be stopped by a piece of paper, beta particles can penetrate further and can be stopped by a few millimeters of aluminum, while gamma rays have the highest penetrating ability and can only be stopped by thick layers of lead or concrete.

How do you shorten the half-life of a radioactive element?

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Asked by Wiki User

To shorten the half-life of a radioactive element, you can manipulate its atomic structure through processes like neutron bombardment or isotope enrichment. These methods can create isotopes with shorter half-lives compared to their natural forms. Additionally, changing the physical or chemical environment of the element may also affect its decay rate.

Radiometric dating or carbon dating which is more accurate?

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Asked by Wiki User

Radiometric dating is generally considered more accurate than carbon dating for older rocks and materials, as it can be used to date a wider range of materials and has a longer dating range. Carbon dating is most accurate for relatively recent samples (up to about 50,000 years old) and is commonly used for archaeological and anthropological studies.

What is radon carbon dating?

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Asked by Wiki User

Radiocarbon dating, also known as carbon-14 dating, is a method used to determine the age of organic materials such as wood, bone, and charcoal. It relies on measuring the amount of carbon-14 isotopes remaining in a sample, which decay at a predictable rate over time. This technique is widely used in archaeology, geology, and environmental science to date ancient artifacts and geological samples.

Is carbon dating valid or a lie?

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Asked by Wiki User

Carbon dating is a validated scientific method used to determine the age of biological artifacts based on the decay rate of carbon-14 isotopes. It provides accurate estimates for items up to around 50,000 years old. Validity is dependent on proper sample handling and calibration to account for potential sources of error, but when done correctly, carbon dating is a reliable tool for estimating the age of organic materials.

What type of nuclear decay produces energy instead of a particle?

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Asked by Wiki User

Gamma decay produces energy in the form of gamma rays, which are high-energy electromagnetic radiation, instead of particles. Gamma decay occurs when an unstable atomic nucleus transitions to a lower energy state by releasing gamma rays.

How does radioactive decay occur?

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Asked by Wiki User

A chemical element disintegrate forming a new element. Radioactive radiations (alpha, beta, gamma, etc.) are released, also heat.

An unstable nucleus breaks down into smaller parts.

What do creationists say about carbon-dating?

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Asked by Wiki User

Creationists often argue that carbon-dating has limitations and may not accurately measure the age of objects due to various assumptions made in the process. They believe in a young Earth model based on the biblical account of creation and the flood, which conflicts with the timeline provided by carbon-dating methods.

When did Willard Libby question the accuracy of radiocarbon dating it would be appreciated if the answer was in a quote?

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Asked by Wiki User

Willard Libby first questioned the accuracy of radiocarbon dating in a 1963 interview with The New York Times, stating, "Radiocarbon dating is not a reliable measure of the true age of a sample."

What is the nuclear decay equation for potassium-40?

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Asked by GeoHarvey

There are three beta decay modes for 40K, and so three equations.

The equation for the negative beta decay of 40K: 1940K --> 2040Ca + -10e

where the -10e represents a beta particle or electron.

The equation for the positive beta decay of 40K: 1940K --> 1840Ar+ 10e

where the 10e represents a positive beta particle or positron.

The equation for the decay of 40K by electron capture is:1940K + -10e --> 1840Ar + ve

How is the amount of carbon-14 in an artifact related to its age?

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Asked by Wiki User

The amount of carbon-14 in an artifact can be used to estimate its age through a process called carbon dating. Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope that decays at a known rate over time. By measuring the amount of carbon-14 remaining in an artifact, scientists can calculate how long it has been since the organism died and stopped replenishing its carbon-14 levels.

How are radioactive isotopes detected?

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Asked by Wiki User

Radioactive isotopes are detected using instruments like Geiger counters, scintillation detectors, and gamma ray spectrometers. These devices can measure the emission of radiation given off by the radioactive isotopes and provide information on the type and amount of radiation being emitted.

Who created radio carbon dating?

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Asked by Wiki User

Willard Libby is credited with developing radiocarbon dating in the 1940s, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1960. The method revolutionized archaeology and other fields by allowing scientists to accurately determine the age of organic materials.

What is a radioactive decay of the spent fuel?

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Asked by Wiki User

Radioactive decay of spent fuel refers to the process where the radioactive isotopes in the fuel break down and release radiation and particles. This decay can continue for thousands of years, making spent fuel a long-term radiation hazard. Proper storage and disposal methods are necessary to prevent environmental and health risks.

What is the radioactive decay constant for rubidium?

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Asked by Wiki User

The radioactive decay constant for rubidium-87 is approximately 1.42 x 10^-11 per year.

As the temperature of a radioactive sample increases the rate of the nuclear decay?

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Asked by Wiki User

The rate of nuclear decay increases as the temperature of a radioactive sample increases. This is due to the increased kinetic energy of the nuclei at higher temperatures, which facilitates interactions that lead to nuclear decay.

How do you determine the radioactive decay of an element?

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Asked by Wiki User

Radioactive decay of an element is determined by measuring the rate at which the parent isotope transforms into daughter isotopes over time. This is done through techniques like radiometric dating using specialized instruments such as Geiger counters or mass spectrometers to measure the decay products. The decay process follows a predictable rate known as the half-life of the isotope.

A researcher who uses carbon dating on ancient items?

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Asked by Wiki User

The researcher uses carbon dating to determine the age of organic materials by measuring the decay of carbon-14 isotopes. This method is effective for dating items up to 50,000 years old. By analyzing the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14, the researcher can calculate the age of the item with a high degree of accuracy.

What is the radioactive decay process of U-238?

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Asked by Wiki User

Uranium-238 undergoes alpha decay, emitting an alpha particle to form Thorium-234. This is a natural radioactive process that continues until a stable nuclide is reached.

How do you survive a Nuclear war?

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Asked by Wiki User

To survive a nuclear war, it's important to have a plan in place. This includes seeking shelter in a designated fallout shelter or a location with thick walls and minimal windows to protect against radiation. It's also important to have a supply of food, water, and medical supplies on hand to sustain yourself during the aftermath of the war. Staying informed and following emergency protocols from authorities is crucial for survival.

How long does it take to get a result from carbon dating?

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Asked by Wiki User

Carbon dating typically takes a few weeks to months to receive results, depending on the laboratory's workload and the sample's quality. The process involves extracting and analyzing carbon isotopes to determine the age of the sample.

Is there any way to change the average amount of radiation emitted from a radioactive substance?

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Asked by Wiki User

No, the average amount of radiation emitted from a radioactive substance is inherent to the substance's decay process and cannot be changed. The rate of decay is measured by the substance's half-life, which is a fixed characteristic of the radioactive material.