Asked by caleb

What types of atoms are used in the process of radiometric dating?

radiometric atoms

any type of isotope

any type of atom

radioactive isotopes

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Correct answer: radioactive isotopes.

Radiometric dating relies on unstable (radioactive) isotopes — called parent isotopes — that decay at a known rate into stable daughter isotopes. You measure the parent:daughter ratio and use the isotope's half‑life to calculate an age. Examples: carbon‑14 (for recent organic material), potassium‑40, uranium‑238, thorium‑232, etc.