If daughter isotopes are lost from a mineral after radioactive decay begins the calculated age of the mineral in questions will be

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If daughter isotopes are lost, the calculated age will be too young because the ratio of parent to daughter isotopes will be higher than it should be. This occurs because as time passes, parent isotopes will decay into daughter isotopes, and if daughter isotopes are lost, there will be fewer present to begin with, which will result in a younger age calculation.

If Daughter Isotopes Are Lost from a Mineral After Radioactive