EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Radiometric dating, which relies on the predictable decay of radioactive isotopes of carbon, uranium, potassium, and other elements, provides accurate age estimates for events back to the formation of Earth more than 4.5 billion years ago.

Detailed explanation-2: -As advances in chemistry, geology, and physics continued, scientists found a method by which the absolute age-an actual number of years-of a rock or mineral sample could be determined. This method is called radiometric dating, and it involves the decay, or breakdown, of radioactive elements.

Detailed explanation-3: -The main method that scientists use to determine the age of the solar system and planets is through radiometric dating. Certain heavier nuclei like that of plutonium and uranium are radioactive and decay at a predictable rate forming daughter nuclei of other more stable elements.

Detailed explanation-4: -Bottom line: Scientists derived the age of Earth, 4.54 billion years, largely from studying the oldest rocks on our planet and meteorites formed early in the solar system’s history. The determined ages for rocks using radiometric dating.

Detailed explanation-5: -Scientific information taken from natural sources (such as ice cores, rocks, and tree rings) and from modern equipment (like satellites and instruments) all show the signs of a changing climate. From global temperature rise to melting ice sheets, the evidence of a warming planet abounds.