Question

You suspect that a sample of rock dates from about 200,000 years ago. If you want to determine an absolute date for this rock, which dating method would you use?
Question 4 options:

A)

Principle of inclusions

B)

Potassium/argon dating

C)

Carbon/nitrogen dating

D)

Uranium/lead dating

Answer 1

To determine the absolute date of a sample of rock that is approximately 200,000 years old, the most suitable dating method from the options provided would be:

**B) Potassium/argon dating.**

Potassium/argon dating is effective for dating volcanic rocks and minerals that are older than about 100,000 years. In contrast, carbon/nitrogen dating (typically carbon-14 dating) is only useful for dating materials that are up to about 50,000 years old, making it unsuitable for your sample. Uranium/lead dating is also used for much older geological processes, typically millions of years old. Therefore, potassium/argon dating is the best method to use for a sample that is around 200,000 years old.