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Line 1: − + + − The Institute for Creation Research suggests that [[radioactive decay]] might have been faster during the first 2.5 days of Creation.<ref>http://creationwiki.org/Accelerated_decay</ref> If so, scientists using radiometric dating techniques would calculate erroneously old dates, possibly explaining why radiometric techniques often give ages for rocks that do not fit within the Creation model.+ − Radiometric dating relies on three improvable assumptions, 1) It assumes to know the amounts of the decaying material present when the rocks were formed, 2) It assumes the decay rate has been constant and 3) It assumes there have been no outside influences affecting the amounts of parent and daughter particles in that rock, or in other words the rock has been completely isolated from any outside influences.+ − Since radiometric dating has been shown to give inaccurate dates for rocks of known ages{{fact}} it should not be used to give dates for rocks of unknown ages. In addition if an obtained 'age' does not agree with secular scientists presuppositions then the date is ignored and tests are conducted on a different part of the rock or the rock is simply said to be of 'unknown' age.{{fact}}+ + − ==Some major methods of radiometric dating<ref>Quarternary Dating Methods, by M. Walker (Wiley & Sons, 2005).</ref>,<ref>Isotopes: Principles and Applications, by G. Faure and T. Mensing (Wiley & Sons, 2005).</ref>==+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − − − −
rewrite - using a signficant amount of previous material
Radiometric dating is using a radioactive process to determine the age of an item.<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With General Science''. Anderson: Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 2000</ref> Radiometric dating is mostly used to determine the age of rocks, and relies on the well-established function for exponential decay <math>F</math><sub><math>t</math></sub><math>=e</math><sup><math>-kt</math></sup>. Different radiometric techniques are calibrated in different ways; for example, radiocarbon dating is calibrated by dating wood that has been dated through the process of [[dendrochronology]].
== Introduction ==
Radiometric dating is using a radioactive process to determine the age of an item.<ref>[http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/geotime/radiometric.html Radiometric Time Scale] USGS</ref> Radiometric dating is mostly used to determine the age of rocks (though in the case of [[Radiocarbon dating]] can date wood, cloth, skeletons, and other organic material), and relies on the well-established function for exponential decay <math>F</math><sub><math>t</math></sub><math>=e</math><sup><math>-kt</math></sup>. Different radiometric techniques are calibrated in different ways; for example, radiocarbon dating is calibrated by dating wood that has been dated through the process of [[dendrochronology]].
== Key assumptions ==
=== Ratios of materials ===
Radiometric dating works on the assumption that there is some natural level of radioactive material and material that it will decay to in nature. For example, with Radiocarbon dating, this is carbon 14 and Nitrogen 14. The level of carbon 14 in the environment is stable with the two exceptions of [[bomb carbon]] and burning of ancient fuels (increasing the amount of carbon 12 in the environment). Both of these can be removed by using wood from 1890 - prior to the widespread use of fossil fuels and well before the creation of the nuclear bomb.
With substances such as uranium, there is no creation of new uranium in the history of the world (with the exception of the very recent phenomena of nuclear enrichment - which never gets back into ancient rocks so this is moot).
Younge Earth Creationists assert that the rate of formation of carbon 14 changed with creation and the flood leading to incorrect results for dating.
=== Rate of decay ===
The rate of decay of a radioactive material is constant. This is based upon [[quantum dynamics]].<ref>''Principles of Quantum Mechanics'' page 89</ref><!-- I cannot find any YEC articles that suggest otherwise with any supporting evidence beyond conjecture. If any change is to be made, please refute with www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/CF/CF210.html www.talkorigins.org/faqs/hovind/howgood-c14.html#R2 -- Furthermore, remember there is more than C14 out there.-->
=== Outside influences ===
It is important that the sample not have had any outside influences. One example of this can be found in metamorphic rocks.<ref>[http://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/eens211/radiometric_dating.htm Radiometric Dating] Course notes for EENS 211 at Tulane University</ref> This does not mean that all rock samples are unreliable, but it is possible to account for a process which throws off the data for metamorphic rocks.
For example, with [[Uranium-lead dating]] with the crystallization of magma, this remains a closed system until the uranium decays. As it decays, it disrupts the crystal and allows the lead atom to move. Likewise, heating the rock such as [[granite]] forms [[gneiss]] or [[basalt]] forms [[schist]]. This can also disrupt the ratios of lead and uranium in the sample.
Dating metamorphic rocks has lead to incorrect dating of the Grand Canyon by the RATE Project (Radioisotopes and the Age of the Earth).<ref>[http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=articles&action=view&ID=42 Radioisotope Dating of Grand Canyon Rocks: Another Devastating Failure for Long-Age Geology] (Note: be sure to make note of the first sentence of the second paragraph)</ref><ref>[http://www.answersincreation.org/ratedeception.htm Critique of RATE's methods] Answers in Creation</ref>
==Some major methods of radiometric dating==
There are several major types of radiometric dating in use:<ref>Quarternary Dating Methods, by M. Walker (Wiley & Sons, 2005).</ref>,<ref>Isotopes: Principles and Applications, by G. Faure and T. Mensing (Wiley & Sons, 2005).</ref>
#[[Radiocarbon dating]], also called carbon dating
#[[Radiocarbon dating]], also called carbon dating
#[[Potassium-argon dating]]
#[[Potassium-argon dating]]
#[[Uranium-lead dating]]
#[[Uranium-lead dating]]
#[[Uranium-thorium]]
#[[Uranium-thorium]]
#[[Rubidium-strontium dating]]
#[[Rubidium-strontium dating]]