Asked by diddy

FOSSILS & ROCK AGES
WHAT IS THE BREAKING DOWN OF AN ELEMENT?
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A. INTRUSION
B. PRINCIPLE OF SUPERPOSITION
C. RADIOACTIVE DECAY
D. EXTRUSION

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Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
C. RADIOACTIVE DECAY

Radioactive decay is the breaking down (decay) of an unstable atomic nucleus into a different nucleus, often emitting radiation. It's the basis of radiometric dating (e.g., C-14 for recent organic remains, U-238 → Pb-206 for very old rocks).

(Other choices: intrusion/extrusion are igneous events; principle of superposition describes relative layering, not atomic breakdown.)