which stable element is used to determine the age of volcanic rock? argon carbon - 14 potassium carbon - 12
which stable element is used to determine the age of volcanic rock? argon carbon - 14 potassium carbon - 12
Answer
Brief Explanations:
The potassium - argon dating method is commonly used for volcanic rocks. Potassium - 40 is a radioactive isotope that decays to argon - 40 (a stable element). By measuring the ratio of argon - 40 to potassium - 40 in a volcanic rock sample, its age can be determined. Carbon - 14 is used for dating organic materials, not volcanic rocks. Carbon - 12 is a stable isotope but not used for rock - dating in this context. Potassium itself is not the stable element for age - determination here.
Answer:
argon