A meteorite has landed at UOIT! Chemical analysis shows that it contains 1
gram of potassium and 1E-5 grams of argon, assumed to be present entirely
from the decay of K-40. Assuming that no argon has escaped the meteorite,
estimate the age of the meteorite.
Data given:
Natural potassium has an atomic weight of 39.089 and contains 0.0118 atomic
percent K-40, which has 2 decay modes:
40
K →40
Ca + β +anti-neutrino
40
K + e
-
→40
Ar* + neutrino →40
Ar + γ
On average there are 12 gamma-rays emitted to every 100 beta-particles
emitted.
1 answer