Which process is used to date ancient rocks and fossils using the decay of radioactive isotopes?

The process that is used to date ancient rocks and fossils by relying on the decay of radioactive isotopes is known as radiometric dating. This method takes advantage of the predictable rate of decay of certain radioactive isotopes found in rocks and fossils. As these isotopes decay, they transform into different stable elements at a consistent rate, which allows scientists to measure the ratio of parent isotopes to daughter isotopes. This information can then be used to calculate the age of the rock or fossil.

Different isotopes are suitable for dating different types of materials and time periods. For example, uranium-lead dating is often used for very old rocks, while potassium-argon dating can be used to date volcanic rocks. Radiometric dating is widely accepted as a reliable method for establishing the geological timeline of Earth's history.

While geologic dating might refer to broader methods of determining the age of geological formations, and paleontology is the study of ancient life through fossils, neither specifically pertains to the decay of isotopes. Carbon dating, on the other hand, is a specific type of radiometric dating that is limited to organic materials and is effective only for relatively recent geological time periods (up to about 50,000 years). Thus, radiometric dating encompasses a wider range of