Top | Newest First | Oldest First
View 3 more replies »
wildbill83 · 36-40, M
@Tracos [quote] If you know the original proportion of stable iron and radioactive iron[/quote]
We don't, hence the problem... it's all based on assumption.
you'd need to know the original weight/quantity of an element down to the nano scale, and accurately measure the loss after decay over a large span of time to determine age; there are multiple isotopes on iron with varying half-lifes, even guessing is difficult when original weight/quantity is assumed over the course of millions of half-lifes... (it's like taking a pound of matter, and halving it a million times, you're left with an infinitesimally small number with a high degree of inaccuracy/margin of error)
We don't, hence the problem... it's all based on assumption.
you'd need to know the original weight/quantity of an element down to the nano scale, and accurately measure the loss after decay over a large span of time to determine age; there are multiple isotopes on iron with varying half-lifes, even guessing is difficult when original weight/quantity is assumed over the course of millions of half-lifes... (it's like taking a pound of matter, and halving it a million times, you're left with an infinitesimally small number with a high degree of inaccuracy/margin of error)
masterofyou · 70-79, M
@wildbill83 what????
SW-User
The age of the earth can be determined by radiometric dating of meteorite material (formed at the accretion of the solar system) and the oldest rocks on earth. It still gives a large range in the 4 billions, but once you reach back that far, the large range doesn't matter as much.
Radiocarbon dating can only date to about 60,000 years, so when things are said to be much older than that, other forms of dating are being used.
Radiocarbon dating can only date to about 60,000 years, so when things are said to be much older than that, other forms of dating are being used.
wildbill83 · 36-40, M
they can't; radiocarbon dating doesn't work without dendrochronology for calibration, and the oldest known living tree (that's actually been accurately tested) is only about 5,000 years old. The "geological column" has been proven false time and time again, so the only evidence we're left with is recorded history and assumption...
smileylovesgaming · 31-35, F
Stopmakingsense · 56-60, F
aliens left instructions on the moon
BackyardShaman · 61-69, M
The devil knows
VictorianDad · 100+, M
Ask it.... Duh!!!
TheLordOfHell · 41-45
@TheLordOfHell Naughty jesus😝
SW-User
You slice it in half and count the rings on the inside
Stopmakingsense · 56-60, F
@SW-User the Earth has a hard solid crust-. And a chewy, delicious center!