Uranium-238 decays to Lead-206. Both Rock X and Rock Y initially had a ratio of 100%. Uranium-238 to 0% Lead-206. Today, Rock X

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Uranium-238 decays to Lead-206. Both Rock X and Rock Y initially had a ratio of 100%. Uranium-238 to 0% Lead-206. Today, Rock X

has a ratio of 50%. Uranium-238 to 50% Lead-206. Rock Y has a ratio of 25% Uranium-238 to 75% Lead-206. Which rock is older?

Chemistry

1 answer:

kati45 [8] · Answer 1 · 2022-07-24T04:08:47+03:00

Answer:

Rock Y

Explanation:

The rock that is older shall be determined based on the number of half lives it has witnessed. A half life is simply the amount of time required for a sample to decay to half of its original mass.

Rock X

From 100% uranium, it decays to 50% uranium. This means it went through just one half life.

Rock Y

From 100% uranium to 25% uranium

100 --> 50 (first half life)

50 --> 25 (second half life)

This means it wen through 2 half lives.

Rock Y is older than Rock X