1. Radioactive Decay

2. Radioactive Decay
Occurs when the nuclei of unstable atoms break down giving off particles and energy
Emission of radioactive particles change an element into another element

3. Isotope
Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have same # of protons but different # of neutrons Ex: Uranium 238 and Uranium 235

4. Common isotopes Carbon 14 Uranium 238 Potassium 40 Rubidium 87

5. Radioactive Dating
Some radioactive isotopes decay at a predictable rate
*The Common Isotopes*
This rate is called the half-life, or how long it takes for half of the atoms of a substance to decay into another element

6. Parent Product
The starting isotope
Daughter Product
What the radioactive isotope changes into over time

8. Age
By determining the relative amounts of the parent and daughter elements you can calculate the age
Carbon -14  Nitrogen 14
If you have 50% C14 and 50% N14 the rock must be 5700 years old

10. Carbon 14 =
Potassium 40 =
Uranium 238 =
Rubidium 87 =