Isotopic dating method

- Is done by measuring the changes in isotopic composition caused by radioactive decay

or growth or both. The ratio of the parent and daughter isotope gives a fair accuracy in
determining the age with a margin of error that ranges from ±5–20 per cent.
Difference of K-Ar and Ar-Ar
- Unlike the conventional K/Ar technique, absolute abundances need not be measured.
Instead, the ratios of the different argon isotopes are measured, yielding more precise
and accurate results.
Isotope of argon
- 40Ar = 99.60%
38Ar = 0.063%
36Ar = 0.337%

Analysis using Ar-Ar dating

- Note that decay is exponential and atoms that decay and reduced by half is called the
half-life.
- Each half-life of 40K is equivalent to 1.3 billion years.