Test 2 Geology

The alpha particle is 2 protons + 2 neutrons (= helium nucleus), uranium undergoes alpha decay, and that alpha decay lowers uranium's mass by four and atomic number by 2.

The beta particle is an electron, that a neutron is transformed into an electron and a proton, that ⁴⁰K undergoes beta decay to form ⁴⁰Ca, and that beta decay of potassium increases the atomic number by one but does not change the mass number.

a proton captures an electron and is transformed into a neutron, that ⁴⁰K undergoes beta decay to form ⁴⁰Ar, and that electron capture decay of potassium decreases the atomic number by one but does not change the mass number.

²³⁵U has a half-life of ~700 million years and ²³⁸U has a half-life of ~ 4.4 billion years.

that both finally decay to different stable isotopes of lead.

the age of a rock or mineral is determined by measuring the amount of uranium and lead isotopes and then using a formula and the known half-life to calculate age.

²³⁵U will undergo fission and can be used as a nuclear fuel and to make atomic bombs

Carbon-14 has a short half-life (~5730 years)

Carbon-14 is always being made in the earth's upper atmosphere by a neutron hitting a ¹⁴N atom with the neutron being added to the atom.

As a proton is kicked out forming carbon-14, the carbon-14 decays to nitrogen

The caron-14 combines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide, which is used by plants during photosynthesis.

As long as plants and animals are alive they will have a constant amount of carbon-14.

After death the amount of carbon-14 starts to decline

The carbon-14 system works well on dying bones, wood, charcoal and other organic materials that are younger than ~50,000 years.