Question

The dating of rocks is done by calculating the ratio between

• A. Uranium-lead
• B. Potassium-argon
• C. Rubidium-strontium
• D. All the above

Answer 1

The correct option is D All the above

• Uranium-lead dating can be used to find the age of a uranium-containing mineral. It works because of the fixed radioactive decay rates of uranium-238, which decays to lead-206, and for uranium-235, which decays to lead-207. They release radiation until they eventually become stable isotopes of lead.
• The rubidium-strontium pair is often used for dating and has a non-radiogenic isotope, strontium-86, which can be used as a check on original concentrations of the isotopes.
• This process is often used along with potassium-argon dating on the same rocks.

So, the correct answers are " All the above".