ra·di·o·met·ric dating (rā′dē-ō-mĕt′rĭk) A method for determining the age of an object based on the concentration of a particular radioactive isotope contained within it. The amount of the isotope in the object is compared to the amount of the isotopes decay products.

What is the rock dating concept?

Radiometric dating, radioactive dating or radioisotope dating is a technique which is used to date materials such as rocks or carbon, in which trace radioactive impurities were selectively incorporated when they were formed.

What is the purpose of dating rocks?

Dynamic Earth - Dating rocks. Gaining estimates of ages of rocks is crucial for establishing not only the history of geological events but also for determining the rates of geological processes. It is possible to establish the relative order of events in some rocks.

How do you determine the age of a rock?

The age of rocks is determined by radiometric dating, which looks at the proportion of two different isotopes in a sample. Radioactive isotopes break down in a predictable amount of time, enabling geologists to determine the age of a sample using equipment like this thermal ionization mass spectrometer.

How do you date volcanic rocks?

One of the most common methods to date volcanic rocks uses potassium (radioactive parent) and argon (stable daughter). Potassium is an element found in many minerals and rocks, and it normally has an atomic mass of 39.

Do rocks grow?

Rocks also grow bigger, heavier and stronger, but it takes a rock thousands or even millions of years to change. Water also contains dissolved metals, which can precipitate out of seawater or freshwater to grow rocks. These rocks are called concretions or nodules.