The technique of comparing the abundance ratio of a radioactive isotope to a reference isotope to determine the age of a material is called radioactive dating. Many isotopes have been studied, probing a wide range of time scales.The technique of comparing the abundance ratio of a radioactive isotope

How do you do radioactive dating?

The best-known techniques for radioactive dating are radiocarbon dating, potassium-argon dating and uranium-lead dating. After one half-life has elapsed, one half of the atoms of the nuclide in question will have decayed into a “daughter” nuclide.

How is radioactive carbon dating done?

Radiocarbon dating works by comparing the three different isotopes of carbon. Isotopes of a particular element have the same number of protons in their nucleus, but different numbers of neutrons. This means its nucleus is so large that it is unstable.

How are radioactive used in radiometric dating?

Radiometric dating is a method used to date rocks and other objects based on the known decay rate of radioactive isotopes. Each radioactive isotope decays at its own fixed rate, which is expressed in terms of its half-life or, in other words, the time required for a quantity to fall to half of its starting value.