To find the age of Earth, what do scientists do?

Question

a. date rocks from anywhere in the solar system, but particularly from outside earth, as old rocks on earth tend to be destroyed
b. date rocks on the moon or meteorites but not from planets, since planets have subduction zones
c. date rocks form anywhere in the universe, as all objects in the universer were formed at about the same time
d. date rocks on earth, as each planet was formed at a different time

Answer 1

The correct answer is b. date rocks on the moon or meteorites but not from planets, since planets have subduction zones.

Scientists primarily date the oldest rocks found on the Moon and meteorites that have fallen to Earth. Earth's rocks are often recycled through processes like plate tectonics and subduction, making it challenging to find very old rocks. The Moon and meteorites provide more reliable samples that can offer insights into the age of the Earth and the solar system as a whole.