Radioisotopic dating with isotopes of different masses

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In summary, recent research has found a key flaw in the widely used radioisotope dating technique, which could lead to overestimating the age of many samples. This is due to the oversight of differential mass diffusion, which can cause variations in isotopic ratios. While this issue does not affect carbon dating, it raises concerns about the accuracy of other radioisotope dating methods and the need for further research to address this flaw.
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An oversight in a radioisotope dating technique used to date everything from meteorites to geologic samples means that scientists have likely overestimated the age of many samples, according to new research from North Carolina State University.
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The ratios of strontium-86 to rubidium and strontium-87 are thought to only be influenced by the radioactive decay of the rubidium-87 into strontium-87. The current model of radioisotope dating is based on that idea.

But that model doesn't account for differential mass diffusion – the tendency of different atoms to diffuse though a material at different rates. And atoms of strontium-86 can diffuse more readily than atoms of strontium-87 or rubidium, simply because atoms of strontium-86 are smaller.

Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2017-01-paper-spotlights-key-flaw-widely.html#jCp

Robert B. Hayes. Some Mathematical and Geophysical Considerations in Radioisotope Dating Applications, Nuclear Technology (2017). DOI: 10.13182/NT16-98 (Requires purchase or subscription)
 
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It's worth noting that the issues raised here do not apply to carbon dating, which does not utilize isotopic ratios."
What? It uses the C14/C12 ratio. But diffusion of carbon over timescales relevant for carbon dating would be very odd, and you just have the smaller isotope difference instead of a chemical difference.
 
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As someone who is not an expert in this field, this new research definitely raises some concerns about the accuracy of radioisotope dating. It seems like the current model is based on a flawed assumption, and that could have major implications for our understanding of the age of various samples.

I'm curious to know if this oversight has already been taken into account by scientists in their calculations and if there are any efforts being made to revise the model. It's also concerning to think that this flaw could have led to overestimating the age of many samples, potentially skewing our understanding of geological timelines.

I hope that further research will be done to address this issue and improve the accuracy of radioisotope dating techniques. In the meantime, it's important for scientists to be transparent about any potential limitations or uncertainties in their methods.
 

FAQ: Radioisotopic dating with isotopes of different masses

What is radioisotopic dating and how does it work?

Radioisotopic dating is a method used to determine the age of rocks and other geological materials by measuring the amount of radioactive isotopes present. This process relies on the fact that radioactive isotopes decay at a predictable rate, known as their half-life. By comparing the amount of a radioactive isotope present in a sample to its stable decay product, scientists can calculate the age of the sample.

How do scientists choose which isotopes to use for radioisotopic dating?

Scientists choose isotopes with longer half-lives, as these are more reliable for dating materials that are millions or billions of years old. Additionally, isotopes with shorter half-lives can be used to date more recent materials. The specific isotopes chosen also depend on the type of material being dated and its geological history.

What are some limitations of radioisotopic dating?

One limitation of radioisotopic dating is that it can only be used on materials that contain radioactive isotopes. Additionally, the accuracy of the dating method can be affected by factors such as contamination, the type of rock being dated, and the amount of decay that has occurred since the rock formed.

How does the mass of isotopes affect radioisotopic dating?

The mass of isotopes plays a crucial role in radioisotopic dating. This is because different isotopes of the same element have different half-lives, meaning they decay at different rates. By using isotopes with known half-lives, scientists can accurately determine the age of a sample.

What are some common uses of radioisotopic dating in science?

Radioisotopic dating is commonly used in geological and archaeological research to determine the age of rocks, fossils, and artifacts. It is also used in environmental studies to track the movement of pollutants and in medical science to date the age of bones and other organic materials. Additionally, radioisotopic dating is used in astronomy to determine the age of celestial bodies and in forensic science to identify the time of death of human remains.

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