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Shellman035
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What is the meaning of "radioactive decay"?
What is the proper use of the meaning of "radioactive decay"? My teacher states it is the amount of decay that has occurred and I think it is a measurement of the "rate" of decay while it is being measured. I have re-phrased this question from an earlier post which gives the specifics of the disagreement. I know the definition of the term but what is its usage,,,, Who's right?
To whom it may concern:
I am having a debate with my biology teacher. I was asked the following multiple choice question:
Question: Radioactive isotopes are used in dating materials from the distant past. Which of the following statements is accurate about radioactive dating techniques?
Answer:
1. It gives relative ages of rock strata.
2. It gives exact ages of rock strata.
3. It uses a technique in which the degree of radioactive decay is measured, the younger the rock the more radioactive decay.
4. It uses a technique in which the degree of radioactive decay is measured, the older the rock the more radioactive decay.
5. It does not work well with fossil remains that have not absorbed radiation because scientists cannot measure the radiation with any degree of certainty.
This is the question exactly as it was posed on the test. I picked answer 3. and got it wrong. The teacher states the corect answer is 4. I think he is wrong. The accepted use of the term "radioactive decay" is not how much decay HAS occurred but rather how much decay is going on when it is being measured. There is no such device as a "Decay-o-meter" and his use of the term "radioactive decay" is in error. He has improperly phrased the answer and no reference to "past-tense" is infered Who's right in this matter? Please help.
Thanks
Todd
What is the proper use of the meaning of "radioactive decay"? My teacher states it is the amount of decay that has occurred and I think it is a measurement of the "rate" of decay while it is being measured. I have re-phrased this question from an earlier post which gives the specifics of the disagreement. I know the definition of the term but what is its usage,,,, Who's right?
To whom it may concern:
I am having a debate with my biology teacher. I was asked the following multiple choice question:
Question: Radioactive isotopes are used in dating materials from the distant past. Which of the following statements is accurate about radioactive dating techniques?
Answer:
1. It gives relative ages of rock strata.
2. It gives exact ages of rock strata.
3. It uses a technique in which the degree of radioactive decay is measured, the younger the rock the more radioactive decay.
4. It uses a technique in which the degree of radioactive decay is measured, the older the rock the more radioactive decay.
5. It does not work well with fossil remains that have not absorbed radiation because scientists cannot measure the radiation with any degree of certainty.
This is the question exactly as it was posed on the test. I picked answer 3. and got it wrong. The teacher states the corect answer is 4. I think he is wrong. The accepted use of the term "radioactive decay" is not how much decay HAS occurred but rather how much decay is going on when it is being measured. There is no such device as a "Decay-o-meter" and his use of the term "radioactive decay" is in error. He has improperly phrased the answer and no reference to "past-tense" is infered Who's right in this matter? Please help.
Thanks
Todd
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