What Determines Absolute Dates in Radiometric Dating?

[david13579]

Homework Statement

Which measurement would help determine absolute dates by radiometric means?

A. the accumulation of the daughter isotope
B. the loss of parent isotopes
C. the loss of daughter isotopes
D. all three of these
E. A&B only

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

My guess is that it is E since radio dating is measuring the ration of the original isotope versus the new one but I am not sure.

 

[Borek]

So you think loss of daughter isotopes doesn't influence dating result?

Does it change the ratio?

I must admit I am not sure how to understand "absolute date" in this context, so I can be thinking wrong.

 

[david13579]

So you think loss of daughter isotopes doesn't influence dating result?

Does it change the ratio?

I must admit I am not sure how to understand "absolute date" in this context, so I can be thinking wrong.

How I see it is x becomes y and y becomes z but the way I see it y and z and both daughters and the ratio of y and z together versus x is what would give the age. Ie, how I see it no daughters are lost. I'm not sure though which is why I ask for help.

 

[Borek]

Each isotope ratio gives separate answer - and each answer should be identical. However, if any of the daughters is lost, it changes all ratios for all isotopes were one isotope is above and one is below the daughter in the chain.

 

[david13579]

So the answer is D, all of the above?

 

[Borek]

If I understand the question correctly - yes.