Question
Which property of argon makes it useful for potassium-argon dating?
It decays into potassium.
It is an unstable element.
It remains trapped in rock.
It is useful only for dating newer rock.
It decays into potassium.
It is an unstable element.
It remains trapped in rock.
It is useful only for dating newer rock.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The property of argon that makes it useful for potassium-argon dating is **"It remains trapped in rock."**
In this dating method, potassium-40 (a radioactive isotope of potassium) decays into argon-40. When volcanic rock forms, it can trap argon gas within it. By measuring the ratio of potassium-40 to argon-40 in a rock sample, scientists can determine the age of the rock. This is because any argon produced from the decay of potassium will accumulate in the rock over time, and if the rock is not disturbed, the argon will remain trapped.
In this dating method, potassium-40 (a radioactive isotope of potassium) decays into argon-40. When volcanic rock forms, it can trap argon gas within it. By measuring the ratio of potassium-40 to argon-40 in a rock sample, scientists can determine the age of the rock. This is because any argon produced from the decay of potassium will accumulate in the rock over time, and if the rock is not disturbed, the argon will remain trapped.