To determine the age of a rock(just like determining the time the magic candies have spent in the jar) you need to know two things: 1) how long the half life is, and 2) how much of the original parent is remaining.

Geologist can measure the half-life of radioactive elements in a lab, so we know the half life for common radioactive elements. Therefor, to determine the age of a particular rock, what would you need to measure that rock?

Question

To determine the age of a rock(just like determining the time the magic candies have spent in the jar) you need to know two things: 1) how long the half life is, and 2) how much  of the original parent is remaining. 

Geologist can measure the half-life of radioactive elements in a lab, so we know the half life for common radioactive elements. Therefor, to determine the age of a particular rock, what would you need to measure that rock?

anonymous · Answer

We can use a method scientists uses which is known as carbon dating.

You will need to know the mass of Carbon-14 in the rock. and the half-life of Carbon-14