You find a fossil that you think is about 350 million years old. You decide to use 235U to date a volcanic ash bed just below the key specimen. The half-life of 235U is 700 million years. If you are correct, what approximate percentage of the original 235U would you expect to remain in your sample?

Question

Biology

Conor

12 February, 14:04

You find a fossil that you think is about 350 million years old. You decide to use 235U to date a volcanic ash bed just below the key specimen. The half-life of 235U is 700 million years. If you are correct, what approximate percentage of the original 235U would you expect to remain in your sample?

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Zoe Mata · Answer 1

I would expect that the sample has only 50% of the original 235 U.

Explanation:

That is because 235 U has a half-life of 700 million years and I expect that my sample be 350 million years old. 350 is half of 700.