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ConcepTest: Oldest Rock Dating #1

ConcepTest questions by David McConnell , David Steer , Walter Borowski, Jeffrey Dick, Annabelle Foos, Jeffrey Knott, Alvin Konigsberg, Michelle Malone, Heidi McGrew, Kathie Owens, and Stephen Van Horn

Question:

The world's oldest known rock is approximately 4 billion (4,000 million) years old. What are the approximate relative percentages of parent and daughter isotopes for Uranium-238 and Lead-206 (half-life = 4.5 billion years)?

a. 75% parent & 25% daughter
b. 45% parent & 55% daughter
c. 55% parent & 45% daughter
d. 25% parent & 75% daughter

Student Responses:

No data yet. The correct response is d.

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References and Notes: