radiometric dating

Biology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (MindTap Course List)
5th Edition
ISBN:9781305117396
Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Chapter11: Evidence Of Evolution
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 2CT
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In radiometric dating, scientists use the half-life of a radioactive isotope, to determine the approximate age of rocks, and the fossils that are embedded in them. Half-life is the time it takes for half of a radioactive element to become stable.

Uranium 238 (238U) is a radioactive element that decays into Lead (206Pb) after 4.5 billion years.
6) Scientists found a fossil in a layer of rock that tested as 1/8th U and 7/8th Pb. What is the approximate age of the fossil?
A) 562 million years old
 
 
B) 4.5 billion years old
 
 
C) 9 billion years old
 
 
D) 13.5 billion years old
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