In Order to Investigate the Age of a Mineral Sample

question 117

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)(¹²C (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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