Calculate Earth's Age: Physics Method w/ College AP Physics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods to calculate the age of the Earth using physics, particularly focusing on accessible techniques suitable for a college AP Physics context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about easily understandable physics methods for calculating the Earth's age.
  • Another participant suggests that carbon dating of zircons provides the oldest age, referencing a Wikipedia article.
  • A different participant corrects the previous claim, stating that carbon-14 dating is not applicable for dating the Earth due to its short half-life and emphasizes the use of uranium and thorium for dating rocks.
  • One participant briefly mentions the concept of considering the radioactive core as a nuclear reactor for dating the Earth's coalescence, noting the complexity of this method.
  • A later reply clarifies that the previous mention of carbon dating should be understood as radiometric dating.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the appropriate methods for dating the Earth, with some confusion regarding the applicability of carbon dating versus radiometric dating. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions about dating methods and the definitions of terms used, particularly between carbon dating and radiometric dating.

Skynt
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I'm in a college Physics AP course, and I was wondering:

Is there any way to calculate the age of the Earth using just a easily understandable physics method?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
tony873004 said:
I believe carbon dating of zircons gives the oldest age.
Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5730 years, so it is not applicable to dating the Earth. Those rocks were never alive and are a lot older than 60,000 years. They do, however, contain uranium and thorium. Those elements can be used to date the rocks.
 
really really old
 
Speculation: consider the radioactive core as a nuclear reactor to date the Earth's coalescence (not so easy a method).
 
I think Tony meant to say radiometric dating, not Carbon-dating, judging from the link.

Claude.
 

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