Name ____________________________________

 

Radioisotope Dating Quiz

 

1. A scientist has discovered a new radioisotope. She wants to use the isotope to date dinosaur bones in her lab. The dinosaur bones are 100 million years old. (13 pt)

Time Elapsed	Undecayed Isotope Remaining
0 years	100 grams
10,000 years	75 grams
15,000 years	50 grams
30,000 years	25 grams
37,000 years	17 grams
45,000 years	12.25 grams
49,000 years	10 grams

 

What is the half-life of the new radioisotope?

 

 

 

Will this radioisotope work to date the dinosaur bones? Why or why not?

 

 

 

2. Given the information plotted below, which isotope has a greater half life? Which isotope would be used to date a a relic from the last 50,00 years? (12pt)

 

Challenge Question (4pt Extra Credit)

During World War II the United States dropped nuclear bombs on Japan. These bombs released many new radioisotopes into the environment. How might this affect radioisotope dating studies in Japan in the future?