In Order to Investigate the Age of a Mineral Sample

question 93

Multiple Choice

In order to investigate the age of a mineral sample believed to be millions of years old, which would be the best choice of radioactive isotope to measure?

• A) (⁵⁹Fe) (t_1/2 = 45.1 d)
• B) (¹²C0) (t_1/2 = 5.72 ×10³ yr)
• C) (⁵³Mn) (t_1/2 = 3.7 ×10⁶ yr)
• D) (⁴⁰K) (t_1/2 = 1.2 ×10⁹ yr)
• E) (²³⁸U) (t_1/2 = 4.51 ×10⁹ yr)

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Definitions:

Angiosperms

A group of plants that have flowers and produce seeds enclosed within a carpel.

Megasporangium

A plant structure in which megaspores are formed, marking a crucial part of the life cycle in seed plants and ferns for reproduction.

Angiosperms

Angiosperms are a group of plants that bear flowers and produce seeds enclosed within a fruit.

Pollinators

Animals or agents that carry pollen from the male structures to female structures of plants, facilitating their sexual reproduction.