how is radioactive decay used to date sedimentary rocks? the amounts of potassium and argon in sedimentary…

how is radioactive decay used to date sedimentary rocks? the amounts of potassium and argon in sedimentary rocks are measured. the amounts of carbon - 14 and nitrogen in sedimentary rocks are measured. the amounts of unstable elements in each layer of the sedimentary rocks are compared. the amounts of unstable elements in the volcanic layers above and below the sedimentary layers are measured.

how is radioactive decay used to date sedimentary rocks? the amounts of potassium and argon in sedimentary rocks are measured. the amounts of carbon - 14 and nitrogen in sedimentary rocks are measured. the amounts of unstable elements in each layer of the sedimentary rocks are compared. the amounts of unstable elements in the volcanic layers above and below the sedimentary layers are measured.

Answer

Brief Explanations:

Sedimentary rocks are difficult to date directly using radioactive - decay as they are formed from the accumulation of sediments. Instead, the volcanic layers above and below sedimentary layers are dated using radioactive decay of unstable elements in them. This helps in determining the age range of the sedimentary rocks. Carbon - 14 is used for dating recent organic materials, not sedimentary rocks. Potassium - argon dating is not typically used for sedimentary rocks in this way. Comparing unstable elements within sedimentary rock layers is not a standard dating method for them.

Answer:

The amounts of unstable elements in the volcanic layers above and below the sedimentary layers are measured.