If You Obtained a Sample of Martian Rock, Determined the Abundances

question 21

Essay

If you obtained a sample of Martian rock, determined the abundances of ²³⁰U and ²⁰⁷Pb in it, and found that for every one uranium atom there were seven lead atoms, what would be the age of this rock? Note that ²³⁰U decays to ²⁰⁷Pb with a half-life of 700 million years.Assume that there was no ²⁰⁷Pb in the rock when it originally formed.

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Definitions:

United Mine Workers

A labor union founded in 1890 that represents coal miners and other workers in the mining industry in the United States and Canada.

Mine Workers' Union

An organization representing the rights and interests of miners, focusing on improving working conditions, wages, and benefits for its members.

Employee Pension Plan

A retirement plan funded by an employer that guarantees a specified income to employees upon retirement, often based on years of service and salary history.

Progressive Reformers

Activists and thinkers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who advocated for wide-ranging changes in society, including government and industry reforms, to address social injustices.