)Radioactive dating is based on the principle that radioactive isotopes decay at a constant rate over time. By measuring the amount of a radioactive isotope and its decay product in a sample, scientists can calculate the age of the sample.
An isotope is a form of an element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons. This results in a different atomic mass for the isotope. Some isotopes are unstable and undergo radioactive decay.
Radioactive dating can be used on organic materials, such as fossils and bones, as well as inorganic materials, such as rocks and minerals.
Radioactive dating can be very accurate, with some methods able to determine the age of a sample within a margin of error of 1%. However, the accuracy of the dating depends on the assumptions made and the quality of the measurements taken.
Radioactive dating is limited by the availability of suitable materials to date and the accuracy of the measurements. Additionally, the decay rates of some isotopes can be affected by external factors, which can impact the accuracy of the age calculations.