select the correct answer.\nthe unstable isotope nickel - 59 can be used to date rocks that contain it…

select the correct answer.\nthe unstable isotope nickel - 59 can be used to date rocks that contain it. nickel - 59 decays into the more stable cobalt - 59. the nickel isotope has a half - life of 76,000 years. which statement about nickel - 59 is true?\na. after 76,000 years, all the nickel - 59 in a rock decays into cobalt - 59.\nb. nickel - 59 can only be used to date rocks that are younger than 76,000 years.\nc. all the nickel - 59 stabilizes after it completes one half - life period of 76,000 years.\nd. the amounts of nickel - 59 and cobalt - 59 remain the same over a half - life period.\ne. the amounts of nickel - 59 and cobalt - 59 tell how long ago the rock cooled to closure temperature.

select the correct answer.\nthe unstable isotope nickel - 59 can be used to date rocks that contain it. nickel - 59 decays into the more stable cobalt - 59. the nickel isotope has a half - life of 76,000 years. which statement about nickel - 59 is true?\na. after 76,000 years, all the nickel - 59 in a rock decays into cobalt - 59.\nb. nickel - 59 can only be used to date rocks that are younger than 76,000 years.\nc. all the nickel - 59 stabilizes after it completes one half - life period of 76,000 years.\nd. the amounts of nickel - 59 and cobalt - 59 remain the same over a half - life period.\ne. the amounts of nickel - 59 and cobalt - 59 tell how long ago the rock cooled to closure temperature.

Answer

Brief Explanations:

Half - life is the time it takes for half of a radioactive isotope to decay. In radiometric dating, the ratio of parent isotope (nickel - 59) to daughter isotope (cobalt - 59) can be used to determine the time since the rock cooled to closure temperature. Option A is wrong as only half decays in one half - life. Option B is incorrect as it can date rocks older than 76,000 years. Option C is wrong as it doesn't stabilize after one half - life. Option D is incorrect as the amounts change in a half - life.

Answer:

E. The amounts of nickel-59 and cobalt-59 tell how long ago the rock cooled to closure temperature.