How was the Age of the Earth calculated?

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How was the Age of the Earth calculated?

2007-02-06 01:34:00 · 3 answers · asked by goring 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology

3 answers

It was calculated using radioactive decay dating on elements that have millions and billions of years for their half lives like uranium and thorium.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_the_Earth#Radioactive_dating

2007-02-06 01:38:58 · answer #1 · answered by Gene 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋

By using the half-life of the decay of radioactive elements.

BTW you can't use carbon dating for really old rocks. You have to use elements like uranium.

2007-02-06 02:45:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋

Scientists carbon date rocks that were buried deep underground, and create their best estimate of rocks buried deeper, which gives them the estimated age of our planet.

2007-02-06 01:47:16 · answer #3 · answered by redjetta 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋