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New page: '''Uranium-lead dating''' is one of several radiometric dating techniques. It is the oldest method and generally considered to be the most accurate. It dates a material based on the ...
'''Uranium-lead dating''' is one of several [[radiometric dating]] techniques. It is the oldest method and generally considered to be the most accurate. It dates a material based on the [[half-life|half-lives]] for the decay of U<sub>238</sub> to Pb<sub>206</sub> or of U<sub>235</sub> to Pb<sub>207</sub>. <ref>http://geology.about.com/od/geotime_dating/a/uraniumlead.htm</ref>
This dating method is used on several minerals, however, it works best with the mineral zircon (ZrSiO<sub>4</sub>). Because the formation of zircon rejects lead from its structure but allows uranium in the place of zirconium atoms, the formation of the crystal is given a reliable date. Zircon is also preferred for it high toughness and ease of separation from other rocks.
Uranium-lead dating has been used to place dates on the end of the [[Permian|Permian period]] and the beginning of the [[Triassic|Triassic period]] with a margin of error much smaller than other dating methods had given.<ref>http://www.physorg.com/news1197.html</ref>
==References==
<references/>
This dating method is used on several minerals, however, it works best with the mineral zircon (ZrSiO<sub>4</sub>). Because the formation of zircon rejects lead from its structure but allows uranium in the place of zirconium atoms, the formation of the crystal is given a reliable date. Zircon is also preferred for it high toughness and ease of separation from other rocks.
Uranium-lead dating has been used to place dates on the end of the [[Permian|Permian period]] and the beginning of the [[Triassic|Triassic period]] with a margin of error much smaller than other dating methods had given.<ref>http://www.physorg.com/news1197.html</ref>
==References==
<references/>