Layers of Assumptions

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Radiometric dating is often used to try to prove rocks are millions of years old. But there are a lot of assumptions behind it!

Radiometric decay is the process where one element, called the “parent,” decays into a new element, called the daughter. Now, scientists can measure the rate at which the parent decays into the daughter. And they believe this gives the ages of the rocks.

But this is based on unprovable assumptions.

First, there’s the assumption that we know the original number of parent atoms—and that all the daughter atoms are only there because of radiometric decay.

Then, there’s the huge assumption that the decay rate has always been constant.

Yes, that’s layers of assumptions!

Dig Deeper

• Radiometric Dating: Back to Basics
• Radiometric Dating and Proof