Mass spectrometric analysis of potassium and argon atoms in a Moon rock sample shows that the ratio of the number of (stable) argon (atomic mass=40) atoms present to the number of (radioactive) potassium (atomic mass=40) atoms is 10.3. Assume that all the argon atoms produced by the decay of potassium atoms, with a half-life of 1.25 EXP9 years. Assume that the initial number of potassium atoms were present at the time the rock was formed by solidification from a molten form and for every potassium atom that decays, an argon atom is produced.
Mass spectrometric analysis of potassium and argon atoms in a Moon rock sample shows that the ratio of the number of (stable) argon (atomic mass=40) atoms present to the number of (radioactive) potassium (atomic mass=40) atoms is 10.3. Assume that all the argon atoms produced by the decay of potassium atoms, with a half-life of 1.25 EXP9 years. Assume that the initial number of potassium atoms were present at the time the rock was formed by solidification from a molten form and for every potassium atom that decays, an argon atom is produced.
Chapter10: Radioactivity And Nuclear Processes
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 10.51E
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Cite the specific scientific principle/concept that is used in conducting this test as described bythe problem below.
Transcribed Image Text:Mass spectrometric analysis of potassium and argon atoms in a Moon rock sample
shows that the ratio of the number of (stable) argon (atomic mass=40) atoms present
to the number of (radioactive) potassium (atomic mass=40) atoms is 10.3. Assume
that all the argon atoms produced by the decay of potassium atoms, with a half-life of
1.25 EXP9 years. Assume that the initial number of potassium atoms were present at
the time the rock was formed by solidification from a molten form and for every
potassium atom that decays, an argon atom is produced.
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