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Multiple Choice
Which method did scientists primarily use to determine the age of the Earth?
A
Carbon dating
B
Radiometric dating
C
Relative dating
D
Dendrochronology
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of radiometric dating: Radiometric dating is a method used to determine the age of rocks and other geological materials based on the decay of radioactive isotopes. Scientists measure the ratio of parent isotopes to daughter isotopes and use known decay rates to calculate the age.
Recognize why carbon dating is not suitable for determining the age of the Earth: Carbon dating is effective for dating organic materials up to about 50,000 years old, but the Earth is billions of years old. Therefore, carbon dating is not applicable for this purpose.
Learn about relative dating: Relative dating involves determining the age of a rock or fossil in relation to other layers or objects, but it does not provide an absolute age. This method is useful for understanding geological sequences but not for calculating the Earth's age.
Understand dendrochronology: Dendrochronology is the study of tree rings to determine the age of trees and environmental conditions over time. While useful for dating events within the last few thousand years, it is not applicable for determining the Earth's age.
Conclude why radiometric dating is the primary method: Radiometric dating is the most reliable method for determining the Earth's age because it provides absolute ages based on the decay rates of isotopes, such as uranium-238 and potassium-40, which have half-lives spanning millions to billions of years.