Uranium-lead (U-Pb) dating of geological samples is one of the oldest and most refined radiometric dating methods, able to determine ages of about 1 million years to over 4.5 billion years with precision in the 0.1–1% range. The U-Pb dating method relies on two separate decay chains, one of which is the uranium series from 238U to 206Pb, with a half-life of 4.47 billion years. Geologists unearth a sample of zircon that appears to be a closed system. They find 0.634 microgram of 206Pb for 1.000 microgram of 238U present. Approximately how old is the sample?
Uranium-lead (U-Pb) dating of geological samples is one of the oldest and most refined radiometric dating methods, able to determine ages of about 1 million years to over 4.5 billion years with precision in the 0.1–1% range. The U-Pb dating method relies on two separate decay chains, one of which is the uranium series from 238U to 206Pb, with a half-life of 4.47 billion years. Geologists unearth a sample of zircon that appears to be a closed system. They find 0.634 microgram of 206Pb for 1.000 microgram of 238U present. Approximately how old is the sample?
Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter19: The Nucleus: A Chemist's View
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 72AE
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Uranium-lead (U-Pb) dating of geological samples is one of the oldest and most refined radiometric dating methods, able to determine ages of about 1 million years to over 4.5 billion years with precision in the 0.1–1% range. The U-Pb dating method relies on two separate decay chains, one of which is the uranium series from 238U to 206Pb, with a half-life of 4.47 billion years.
Geologists unearth a sample of zircon that appears to be a closed system. They find 0.634 microgram of 206Pb for 1.000 microgram of 238U present. Approximately how old is the sample?
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