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.

Why is radioactive dating important when approximately the age of Earth?

By establishing geological timescales, radiometric dating provides a significant source of information about the ages of fossils and rates of evolutionary change, and it is also used to date archaeological materials, including ancient artifacts.

What did Radioactive dating show about the age of the Earth?

As the uranium in rocks decays, it emits subatomic particles and turns into lead at a constant rate. Measuring the uranium-to-lead ratios in the oldest rocks on Earth gave scientists an estimated age of the planet of 4.6 billion years. Segment from A Science Odyssey: Origins.

How is radioactive dating important for providing?

Radioactive dating is important for providing evidence for evolution because it shows that life has existed on earth for a long time.