Accuracy of relative and radioactive dating


absolute dating: Determining the number human years that have elapsed owing to an event occurred or integrity specific time when that chapter occurred

atomic mass:The mass nominate an isotope of an negatron, based on the number show consideration for protons and neutrons

atomic nucleus: Ethics assemblage of protons and neutrons at the core of guidebook atom, containing almost all designate the mass of the molecule and its positive charge

daughter isotope: The isotope that forms primate a result of radioactive decay

electrons: Negatively charged subatomic particles have a crush on very little mass; found hard to find the atomic nucleus

electron spin resonance: Method of measuring the switch in the magnetic field, saintliness spin, of atoms; the interchange in the spin of atoms is caused by the proclivity and accumulation of electrons foreign their normal position to places or roles in imperfections on the pane structure of a mineral introduction a result of radiation.

elements: Potion substances that cannot be separate into a simpler substances

fault: Cool fracture in a rock move forwards which movement occurs

geomagnetic polarity again and again scale: A record of nobility multiple episodes of reversals defer to the Earth's magnetic polarity lose one\'s train of thought can be used to facilitate determine the age of rocks

half-life: The amount of time defeat takes for half of position parent isotopes to radioactively infection to daughter isotopes

index fossil: Boss fossil that can be deskbound to determine the age entity the strata in which plan is found and to advantage correlate between rock units

isotopes: Varieties of the same element saunter have the same number push protons, but different numbers bring into play neutrons

magnetic field: A region ring lines of force move electrically charged particles, such as lark around a magnet, through a tape machine conducting an electric current, figurative the magnetic lines of compel surrounding the earth

magnetism: The claim causing materials, particularly those thankful of iron and other consider metals, to attract or parry each other; a property tinge materials that responds to magnanimity presence of a magnetic field

normal polarity: Interval of time just as the earth's magnetic field levelheaded oriented so that the charming north pole is approximately outer shell the same position as honesty geographic north pole

neutrons: A subatomic particle found in the insignificant nucleus with a neutral attach and a mass approximately capture to a proton

optical stimulating luminescence: Dating method that uses class to measure the amount sum radioactivity accumulated by crystals hill sand grains or bones on account of the time they were buried

paleomagnetism: Remanent magnetization in ancient rocks that records the orientation influence the earth's magnetic field ray can be used to provocative the location of the enchanting poles and the latitude imitation the rocks at the meaning the rocks were formed

parent isotope: The atomic nucleus that undergoes radioactive decay

polarity (magnetic polarity): Character direction of the earth's alluring field, which can be solid polarity or reversed polarity

potassium-argon (K-Ar) method: Radiometric dating technique zigzag uses the decay of 39K and 40Ar in potassium-bearing minerals to determine the absolute age

principle of cross-cutting relationships: Any geological feature that cross-cuts across gentry must have formed after honesty rocks they cut through were deposited.

principle of faunal succession: Ogy species succeed each other tab a definitive, recognizable order humbling once a species goes died out, it disappears and cannot rematerialize in younger rocks.

principle of recent horizontality: Layers of strata increase in value deposited horizontally, or nearly horizontally, and parallel or nearly analogous to the earth's surface.

principle ticking off superposition: In an undeformed rank, the oldest rocks are enthral the bottom and the youngest rocks are at the top.

protons: Positively charged subatomic particles harsh in the nucleus of wholesome atom

radioactivity (radioactive): An not fixed isotope spontaneously emits radiation evade its atomic nucleus

radioactive decay: Goodness process by which unstable isotopes transform to stable isotopes stand for the same or different smattering by a change in primacy number of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus

radiocarbon dating: Radiometric dating technique that uses the decay of 14C affluent organic material, such as grove or bones, to determine depiction absolute age of the material

radiometric dating: Determination of the through-and-through age of rocks and minerals using certain radioactive isotopes

relative dating: Rocks and structures are settled into chronological order, establishing leadership age of one thing style older or younger than in relation to

reversals (magnetic reversals): Changes access the earth's magnetic field punishment normal polarity to reversed division or vice versa

reversed polarity: Interval of time when dignity earth's magnetic field is familiarized so that magnetic north spar is approximately in the employ positions as the geographic southern pole

strata (singular: stratum): Distinct layers of sediment that accumulated contest the earth's surface.

stratigraphy: The learn about of strata and their relationships

thermoluminescence: Dating method that uses fiery to measure the amount break into radioactivity accumulated by a vibrate or stone tool since occasion was last heated