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Multiple Choice
Which method of fossil dating relies on radioactive isotopes?
A
Relative dating
B
Stratigraphic correlation
C
Dendrochronology
D
Radiometric dating
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of radiometric dating: Radiometric dating is a method used to determine the age of fossils or rocks by measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes within them. Isotopes are variants of elements with differing numbers of neutrons, and some isotopes are unstable, undergoing radioactive decay over time.
Learn about radioactive decay: Radioactive isotopes decay at a predictable rate, known as their half-life. The half-life is the time it takes for half of the radioactive isotope to decay into its stable daughter product. This property allows scientists to estimate the age of a sample.
Identify the isotopes commonly used in radiometric dating: Examples include Carbon-14 for dating relatively recent fossils (up to about 50,000 years old) and Uranium-238 for dating much older rocks and fossils (millions to billions of years old).
Compare radiometric dating to other methods: Relative dating, stratigraphic correlation, and dendrochronology do not rely on radioactive isotopes. Relative dating uses the position of fossils in layers of rock, stratigraphic correlation compares layers across different locations, and dendrochronology uses tree ring patterns to date events.
Conclude that radiometric dating is the correct method for fossil dating based on radioactive isotopes, as it directly measures the decay of isotopes to determine the age of a sample.