145k views
1 vote
How can radioactive decay be used to date rocks?

User August
by
4.4k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:

To establish the age of a rock or a fossil, researchers use some type of clock to determine the date it was formed. Geologists commonly use radiometric dating methods, based on the natural radioactive decay of certain elements such as potassium and carbon, as reliable clocks to date ancient events.

Have a nice day! :)

User Saulius Next
by
5.0k points