How Old Is The Earth? (UMAP)

Author: Paul J. Campbell

For a translation of UMAP module #719 into Portuguese see product #99719 Translation.

This module provides the calculus underpinnings for the isochron diagram method learned by geology students in connection with rubidium-strontium and uranium-thorium dating, as well as for carbon-14 dating. Examples and exercises include calculating the ages of the earth, the moon, early human and animal skeletons in the Americas, and a Wisconsin Indian mound.

Table of Contents:

CONTROVERSY OVER THE AGE OF THE EARTH

THE RELEVANT PHYSICS

ISOTOPES IN GEOLOGICAL DATING

A MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF RADIOACTIVE DECAY

SOLVING A SIMPLE VERSION OF THE DATING PROBLEM

THE ISOCHRON DIAGRAM

URANIUM-THORIUM DATING

LIMITATIONS OF THE DATING PROCESS

HOW OLD IS THE EARTH? AND WHAT ABOUT THE MOON?

APPENDIX: CARBON-14 DATING

APPENDIX: OTHER USES OF ISOTOPE RATIOS

10. SOLUTIONS TO THE EXERCISES

REFERENCES

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR