Dating a Meteorite Fragment · AI Generator #GEN-7302ECB9

Physics · modern-physics

Problem

A meteorite fragment found in Antarctica contains both potassium-40 (

^{40}

K) and its decay product argon-40 (

^{40}

Ar). The half-life of

^{40}

K is

1.25 \times 10^9

years. When the meteorite is analyzed, scientists find that for every 3 atoms of

^{40}

K remaining, there are 5 atoms of

^{40}

Ar present. Assuming that all the

^{40}

Ar came from the decay of

^{40}

K and that no argon has escaped from the meteorite, determine the age of the meteorite fragment.