Multiple choice

The radioactive nuclide used in geological dating is

  1. Y-90

  2. U-238

  3. B-10

  4. P-32
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Geological dating covers thousands of years. Only isotopes with long half-lives can be used. The isotope with the longest half-life is uranium-238. Uranium-238 can be used to date rocks, fossils and meteorites. Carbon-14 is used to date matter that was once alive.

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