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Explain why it is important to assume that the rate of radioactive decay aka radioactivity will remain constant over time?

I do not need a direct full answer to the question but I would appreciate a simplified explanation of the concepts surrounding this question because I want to understand. Many thanks to anyone who can help.

2 Answers

5 votes

Answer:

If the rate changes, it would be extremely challenging for people to figure out the relative ages of rock strata, fossils, or other substances with radioactive elements in them. This is a fundamental assumption in order to be able to use radioactive dating.

Step-by-step explanation:

I just did this on Ed.

User Anagio
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3 votes

Answer and Explanation:

It's very important to assume that the rate of radioactive decay will remain constant over time to make scientists' lives easier when calculating the ages of fossils, compounds, etc.

If the rate changes, it would be extremely challenging for people to figure out the relative ages of rock strata, fossils, or other substances with radioactive elements in them. This is a fundamental assumption in order to be able to use radioactive dating.

Hope this helps!

User Luca Guarro
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