a) age in years of a rock or other object determined by properties of atoms
b) unstable isotopes break down into other isotopes and particles in the process of radioactive decay
1) Beta Decay- an isotope's neutron breaks down into a proton and an electron with the electron leaving the atom as a beta particle a new element forms due to proton gain.
2) Alpha Decay- an isotope gives off 2 protons and 2 neutrons as an alpha particle; a new element forms.
3) the time it takes for half the atoms in an isotope to decay to the isotopes half life
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