Radioactive dating is a method of dating rocks and minerals using radioactive isotopes. The unstable or more commonly known radioactive isotopes break down by radioactive decay into other isotopes. Radioactive decay is a natural process and comes from the atomic nucleus becoming unstable and releasing bits and pieces.Radioactive dating is a method of dating rocks and minerals using radioactive isotopes

What radioactive substances are used to date rocks?

Uranium–lead dating method Uranium–lead radiometric dating involves using uranium-235 or uranium-238 to date a substances absolute age. This scheme has been refined to the point that the error margin in dates of rocks can be as low as less than two million years in two-and-a-half billion years.

Why is radioactivity used to determine the age of rocks?

Geologists use radiometric dating to estimate how long ago rocks formed, and to infer the ages of fossils contained within those rocks. The universe is full of naturally occurring radioactive elements. Radioactive atoms are inherently unstable; over time, radioactive parent atoms decay into stable daughter atoms.

How do you use radioactivity to date material?

Radiometric dating is a method used to date rocks and other objects based on the known decay rate of radioactive isotopes. The decay rate is referring to radioactive decay, which is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by releasing radiation.