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Unit 2 Discussion B: Uniformitarianism
The principle of Uniformitarianism states that the present is the key to the past. In other words, the processes that we see happening today probably worked in a similar way in the past. Why is it important to assume that the rate of radioactive decay has remained constant over time? Why is it important to be able to date fossils? Describe the process of radioactive dating and its significance in geological studies.
Helpful information- https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/uniformitarianism/
| Subject | Business | Pages | 8 | Style | APA |
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Answer
Radioactive Dating
Radioactive dating is a method of ascertaining estimating the age of a fossil or specimen by measuring the available radioactive materials. This is done by working backwards to understand the half-lives of a fossil or specimen to estimate its age. Radioactive materials usually have a half-life, which is mostly determined by finding out the period, which must lapse to reduce the elements by a half. By estimating the half-lives from the part of substance left the age of the fossil is predicted. The decomposition happens at preset time intervals, which have not altered over time. The decay rates are not affected by the climatic changes, temperature or any other conditions. This is significant in determining an accurate estimation of the age of the specimen.
The frequently utilized methods for this process are uranium, radiocarbon, and potassium-argon dating (Methods of Dating Fossils, 2018). These techniques can only be utilized for samples not more than 50, 000 years. The chart shown below demonstrates the radioactive half-life of substances. Scientific research has proven these materials to be coherent with radioactive dating even though most people may criticize the scientific research and raise concerns on the testability of the specimens and how true they may estimate the age. The diagram below demonstrates the types of fossils that are found at certain depths of eruptive rocks and the life span of the fossils as a result of relative position and radioactive dating (National Geographic Society, 2012). This radioactive dating positively contributes to the evidence of organic evolution and produces a more conclusive timeline of the evolutionary theory.
Process of Radioactive Dating
Figure 1: What Is Radioactive Dating, and How Does It Work?. Retrieved from http://www.geologyin.com/2015/02/radiometric-dating.html
In relative dating, the specimen or fossils are dated in relation to the layers of igneous (volcanic) rocks closer to the surface. The older layers are located deeper in the soil.
Figure II: Methods of Dating Fossils. Retrieved from https://nigerianscholars.com/tutorials/history-of-life/methods-of-dating-fossils/
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References
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Methods of Dating Fossils. (2018, January 23). Methods of Dating Fossils | History of Life on Earth. Nigerian Scholars. https://nigerianscholars.com/tutorials/history-of-life/methods-of-dating-fossils/
National Geographic Society. (2020, January 27). Uniformitarianism. National Geographic Society. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/uniformitarianism/
What Is Radioactive Dating, and How Does It Work? (2016, April 27). GeologyIn. http://www.geologyin.com/2015/02/radiometric-dating.html