1. Section 8-3 Radioactive Dating

2. Intro To Matter Elements – the simplest form of matter (i.e. Hydrogen (H) or Oxygen (O) – Atoms – the smallest particle of an element Compounds – two or more elements bonded together (i.e. H 2 O) – Molecules – the smallest unit of a compound The Periodic Table Example

3. Radioactive Decay When atoms of an element break down (decay) to form another element – Half-life The amount of time it takes for half of the radioactive element to decay Used to determine the absolute age (age in years) of rocks

4. Determining Absolute Age Potassium-Argon Dating – Used to date rocks because the half-life is 1.3 billion years Example: Carbon-14 Dating – Used to date the fossils of living things because its half- life is 5,730 years Example: