10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Geochronology Methods for Determining the Absolute Age of Rocks

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Examples of Key Beds Global Time Markers Examples of Key Beds Global Time Markers Volcanic Ash Eruptions

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Global Time Markers Global Time Markers Magnetic Reversals

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Global Time Markers Global Time Markers Meteor Impacts K-T impact site K-T Boundary coal mudstone-impact layer

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay What happens during nuclear decay? During nuclear decay, atoms of one element can change into atoms of a different element altogether. Nuclear Decay

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Radioactivity is the process in which an unstable atomic nucleus emits charged particles and energy. Any atom containing an unstable nucleus is called a radioactive isotope, or radioisotope for short. Radioisotopes of uranium—primarily uranium- 238—were the source of radioactivity in Becquerel’s experiment. Nuclear Decay

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Unlike stable isotopes such as carbon-12 or oxygen-16, radioisotopes spontaneously change into other isotopes over time. Nuclear decay occurs when the composition of a radioisotope changes. Uranium-238 decays into thorium-234, which is also a radioisotope. Nuclear Decay

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay What are three types of nuclear radiation? Common types of nuclear radiation include alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. Types of Nuclear Radiation

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Types of Nuclear Radiation

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay The penetrating power of nuclear radiation varies with the type. Types of Nuclear Radiation

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Scientists can detect a radioactive substance by measuring the nuclear radiation it gives off. Nuclear radiation is charged particles and energy that are emitted from the nuclei of radioisotopes. Types of Nuclear Radiation

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay These stone tools from the archaeological site in Cactus Hill, Virginia, are at least 15,000 years old. Scientists estimated the age of the site based on rates of nuclear decay.

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay How do nuclear decay rates differ from chemical reaction rates? Half-life Unlike chemical reaction rates, which vary with the conditions of a reaction, nuclear decay rates are constant.

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay A half-life is the time required for one half of a sample of a radioisotope to decay. After one half-life, half of the atoms in a radioactive sample have decayed, while the other half remains unchanged. After two half-lives, half of the remaining radioisotope decays. After three half-lives, the remaining fraction is one eighth. Half-life

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay The half-life for the beta decay of iodine-131 is 8.07 days. Half-life

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay The half-life for the beta decay of iodine-131 is 8.07 days. Half-life

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay The half-life for the beta decay of iodine-131 is 8.07 days. Half-life

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay The half-life for the beta decay of iodine-131 is 8.07 days. Half-life

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Every radioisotope decays at a specific rate. Half-lives can vary from fractions of a second to billions of years. Half-life

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Radioactive Decay Half-life Zircon ZrSiO 4 U substitutes for Zr, but Pb does not.

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Iridium-182 undergoes beta decay to form osmium-182. The half-life of iridium-182 is 15 minutes. After 45 minutes, how much iridium- 182 will remain of an original 1-gram sample? Calculate how many half-lives will elapse during the total time of decay. Half-life

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay After three half-lives, the amount of iridium- 182 has been reduced by half three times. After 45 minutes, gram of iridium-182 remains gram of the sample has decayed into osmium-182. Half-life

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay How do scientists determine the age of an object that contains carbon-14? Radioactive Dating In radiocarbon dating, the age of an object is determined by comparing the object’s carbon-14 levels with carbon-14 levels in the atmosphere.

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay The artifacts from Cactus Hill were dated by measuring levels of carbon-14, which has a half-life of 5730 years. Carbon-14 is formed in the upper atmosphere when neutrons produced by cosmic rays collide with nitrogen-14 atoms. Carbon-14 undergoes beta decay to form nitrogen-14. Radioactive Dating

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Plants absorbing carbon dioxide during photosynthesis maintain the same ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 as in the atmosphere. Animals have the same ratio of carbon isotopes as the plants they eat. When a plant or animal dies, it can no longer absorb carbon. After death, the organism’s carbon-14 levels decrease as the radioactive carbon decays. Radioactive Dating

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay If the ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 in a fossil is half the atmospheric ratio, the organism lived about 5730 years ago. Because atmospheric carbon-14 levels can change over time, the calculated age of the fossil is not totally accurate. To get a more accurate radiocarbon date, scientists compare the carbon-14 levels in a sample to carbon-14 levels in objects of known age. Radioactive Dating

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Radiocarbon dating can be used to date any carbon-containing object less than 50,000 years old. Objects older than 50,000 years contain too little carbon-14 to be measurable, so scientists measure the amounts of radioisotopes with longer half-lives than carbon-14. Radioactive Dating

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Radiocarbon dating helps archaeologists learn more about ancient civilizations. This Egyptian mummy case, containing the remains of a cat, is 1900 years old. Radioactive Dating

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Assessment Questions 1.Cesium-137 has a half-life of 30 years. You find a sample with 3 g of cesium-137. How much cesium-137 existed in the sample 90 years ago? a.9 g b.27 g c.24 g d.18 g

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Assessment Questions 1.Cesium-137 has a half-life of 30 years. You find a sample with 3 g of cesium-137. How much cesium-137 existed in the sample 90 years ago? a.9 g b.27 g c.24 g d.18 g ANS:C

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Assessment Questions 2.What factors influence nuclear decay rates? a.pressure b.temperature c.concentration d.number of neutrons in nucleus

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Assessment Questions 2.What factors influence nuclear decay rates? a.pressure b.temperature c.concentration d.number of neutrons in nucleus ANS:D

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Assessment Questions 3.What radioisotope is most commonly used to determine the age of archaeological artifacts made of wood? a.lithium-7 b.carbon-14 c.potassium-40 d.uranium-235

10.2 Rates of Nuclear Decay Assessment Questions 3.What radioisotope is most commonly used to determine the age of archaeological artifacts made of wood? a.lithium-7 b.carbon-14 c.potassium-40 d.uranium-235 ANS:B