Suppose You Discovered a Meteorite That Contains Small Amounts of Potassium-40,which

question 54

Essay

Suppose you discovered a meteorite that contains small amounts of potassium-40,which has a half-life of 1.3 billion years,and its decay product argon-40.You determine that 1/16 of the original potassium-40 remains;the other 15/16 has decayed into argon-40.How old is the meteorite? Based on your answer,where is this meteorite probably from?

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Definitions:

Berghuis v. Thompkins

A 2010 Supreme Court case that held that remaining silent without a prior explicit invocation of Miranda rights does not constitute an invocation of the right to silence.

Right to Remain Silent

A legal principle that safeguards individuals from being compelled to incriminate themselves during a legal process.

Strict-Liability Offenses

Crimes for which the perpetrator can be held liable regardless of intent or state of mind at the time of committing the act.

Mens Rea

A legal principle referring to the intent or knowledge of wrongdoing that constitutes part of a crime, as opposed to the action or conduct of the accused.