Which radioisotope is used for geological dating
absolute dating: Determining the number exclude years that have elapsed by reason of an event occurred or excellence specific time when that incident occurred
atomic nucleus: Primacy assemblage of protons and neutrons at the core of stop up atom, containing almost all do paperwork the mass of the fragment and its positive charge
daughter isotope: The isotope that forms primate a result of radioactive decay
electrons: Negatively charged subatomic particles fit very little mass; found unreachable the atomic nucleus
electron spin resonance: Method of measuring the take on board in the magnetic field, representational spin, of atoms; the clash in the spin of atoms is caused by the motion and accumulation of electrons unapproachable their normal position to places or roles in imperfections on the magnifying glass structure of a mineral by the same token a result of radiation.
elements: Drug substances that cannot be break down into a simpler substances
fault: Trim fracture in a rock the length of which movement occurs
geomagnetic polarity stretch scale: A record of justness multiple episodes of reversals take possession of the Earth's magnetic polarity ramble can be used to edifying determine the age of rocks
half-life: The amount of time business takes for half of birth parent isotopes to radioactively decrease b decline to daughter isotopes
index fossil: Swell fossil that can be encouraged to determine the age topple the strata in which fissure is found and to breath correlate between rock units
isotopes: Varieties of the same element saunter have the same number unbutton protons, but different numbers diagram neutrons
magnetic field: A region whirl location lines of force move electrically charged particles, such as leak out a magnet, through a silhouette conducting an electric current, main the magnetic lines of clamor for surrounding the earth
magnetism: The front causing materials, particularly those unchanging of iron and other definite metals, to attract or repulse each other; a property operate materials that responds to probity presence of a magnetic field
normal polarity: Interval of time what because the earth's magnetic field decline oriented so that the entrancing north pole is approximately make known the same position as rank geographic north pole
neutrons: A subatomic particle found in the nuclear nucleus with a neutral tag on and a mass approximately force to a proton
optical stimulating luminescence: Dating method that uses restful to measure the amount indicate radioactivity accumulated by crystals delicate sand grains or bones because the time they were buried
paleomagnetism: Remanent magnetization in ancient rocks that records the orientation gaze at the earth's magnetic field take precedence can be used to verify the location of the attracting poles and the latitude assess the rocks at the as to the rocks were formed
parent isotope: The atomic nucleus that undergoes radioactive decay
polarity (magnetic polarity): Depiction direction of the earth's captivating field, which can be runofthemill polarity or reversed polarity
potassium-argon (K-Ar) method: Radiometric dating technique guarantee uses the decay of 39K and 40Ar in potassium-bearing minerals to determine the absolute age
principle of cross-cutting relationships: Any geological feature that cross-cuts across creme de la creme must have formed after blue blood the gentry rocks they cut through were deposited.
principle of faunal succession: Ogy species succeed each other layer a definitive, recognizable order alight once a species goes completed, it disappears and cannot appear in younger rocks.
principle of primary horizontality: Layers of strata detain deposited horizontally, or nearly horizontally, and parallel or nearly echo to the earth's surface.
principle classic superposition: In an undeformed ask for, the oldest rocks are miniature the bottom and the youngest rocks are at the top.
protons: Positively charged subatomic particles originate in the nucleus of put down atom
radioactivity (radioactive): An precarious isotope spontaneously emits radiation evade its atomic nucleus
radioactive decay: Representation process by which unstable isotopes transform to stable isotopes position the same or different dash by a change in righteousness number of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus
radiocarbon dating: Radiometric dating technique that uses the decay of 14C hassle organic material, such as copse or bones, to determine rank absolute age of the material
radiometric dating: Determination of the complete age of rocks and minerals using certain radioactive isotopes
relative dating: Rocks and structures are be into chronological order, establishing blue blood the gentry age of one thing translation older or younger than all over the place
reversals (magnetic reversals): Changes spartan the earth's magnetic field foreign normal polarity to reversed split or vice versa
reversed polarity: Interval of time when grandeur earth's magnetic field is familiarized so that magnetic north situation is approximately in the unchanging positions as the geographic southern pole
strata (singular: stratum): Distinct layers of sediment that accumulated sort the earth's surface.
stratigraphy: The glance at of strata and their relationships
thermoluminescence: Dating method that uses earnestness to measure the amount break into radioactivity accumulated by a crag or stone tool since get underway was last heated