- #1
Wreak_Peace
- 38
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I apologize for the simplicity of this question in relation to the others on this site.
But I've been curious, and haven't been able to find an answer.
In Radioactive Dating, how do scientists know how much of a certain isotope (ie. Carbon-14, Potassium-40) was there to start with in an object..
For example, if a rock was found to have gone through 3 half lifes of Carbon-14, being 17,190 years old, how would scientists know that the amount of Carbon-14 which was in the rock when it was formed is eight times what it was when they tested it?
Sorry if I'm being confusing and for looking idiotic for posting such a simple question.
Thanks!
But I've been curious, and haven't been able to find an answer.
In Radioactive Dating, how do scientists know how much of a certain isotope (ie. Carbon-14, Potassium-40) was there to start with in an object..
For example, if a rock was found to have gone through 3 half lifes of Carbon-14, being 17,190 years old, how would scientists know that the amount of Carbon-14 which was in the rock when it was formed is eight times what it was when they tested it?
Sorry if I'm being confusing and for looking idiotic for posting such a simple question.
Thanks!