How radioactive dating works
14-Nov-2019 02:15
U-235 decays to Pb-207 with a half-life of 704 million years.
Due to its long half-life, U-235 is the best isotope for radioactive dating, particularly of older fossils and rocks. The half-life of C-14, however, is only 5,730 years.
These samples are carefully cataloged and analyzed with a mass spectrometer.He experimented by placing uranium salts with a photographic plate in front, in a dark space.The plate turned dark, and hence, he theorized that a specific type of energy must be emitted by these salts to blacken the plate.This Science Struck article explains in detail how radioactive decay works.
The process by which unstable atomic nuclei release subatomic particles is known as radioactivity.
For example, Uranium-238 decays by emission of an alpha particle to form thorium-234.
