Riddle, M. Dating Fossils and Rocks AIG DVD 2004
10. What did Dr. Willard Libby, the founder of the C-14 dating method, discover
about equilibrium? What did he do about it and why? Dr. Libby discovered that carbon-14 was being added to the atmosphere over 20 percent faster than it was being removed. This meant that it was not in equilibrium. Dr. Libby attributed this to an error in his calculations because he assumed we must be in equilibrium. He assumed we were in equilibrium because of his belief in evolution meaning the earth must be billions of years old. If the earth is billions of years old, the elapsed time would mean we have to be in equilibrium. Calculations suggest that it would take about 30,000 years to reach equilibrium.
11. Based on current measurements in the atmosphere, what is known about the
assumption (equilibrium) involved in the C-14 dating method? What does this
mean? Current calculations show that we are over 25 percent out of equilibrium. Carbon-14 is being added to the atmosphere over 25 percent faster than it is being removed. This means that the assumption the carbon-14 dating method is based upon has been shown to be false. This further means that the carbon-14 dating method is not reliable beyond a few thousand years (3,000– 4,000 years). It also means the information in many textbooks about carbon-14 being a reliable dating method for up to 60,000 years is wrong. Factors affecting C12/14 balance include- 1. Rate of cosmic rays reaching earth: This can be increased if earth’s magnetic field declines as it has been. The level of total C02 in the atmosphere that could have contributed to the flood burial.
12. Measurements indicate that it would take about 30,000 years to reach
equilibrium. What does this indicate about the age of the earth? Since we are over 25 percent out of equilibrium, this suggests that the earth is not as old as stated in many journals and textbooks. It suggests a young earth (less than 30,000 years).
14. Give four assumptions used in radioactive decay dating.
(1) The starting amount of the daughter element can be known. If the C 14 in the atmosphere is not in equilibrium, an incorrect assumption may be made here.
(2) All the daughter element in a sample is due to radioactive decay.
(3) The sample has always been in a closed environment
(4) The decay rate has always been constant
15. Does radioactive decay dating prove the age of the earth is 4.6 billion years
old? No. First, since there are unprovable assumptions in the dating process it
cannot be established as a fact. Second, the dating methods are not consistent. The same sample can be dated by different methods and give very different ages. Also, the same sample can be dated by the same method multiple times and give different ages. Third, there are many scientific evidences that indicate a young age for the earth.
17. How does Helium in the atmosphere support a young earth?
17. If the earth is 4.6 billion years old there should be much more helium in the
atmosphere due to radioactive decay. However, there is only enough helium
in the atmosphere for an age of less than 2-million years. This is far too young
for the evolution model. It does not suggest an age of 2-million years, but
rather sets an upper limit for the age of the earth.
18. Give some scientific evidences of a young earth.
Helium in the earth’s atmosphere
Nuclear decay rates
Sodium in the oceans
Rapid disintegration of comets
Erosion of continents
Sediments in the oceans
Decay of the earth’s magnetic field
Carbon-14 ratio in the atmosphere
Radiohalos for polonium in granite rocks
Population statistics
Recession of the moon