How do geologists use isotopic dating to understand Earth's history?

Isotopic dating is a method used by geologists to determine the age of rocks, minerals, and other materials on Earth. It involves measuring the ratio of certain isotopes in a sample, which can reveal the time that has passed since the material was last heated or disturbed.

The most common type of isotopic dating is radiometric dating, which uses the decay of radioactive isotopes to determine the age of a sample. Different isotopes decay at different rates, so by measuring the relative amounts of parent and daughter isotopes in a sample, geologists can calculate its age.

Isotopic dating has revolutionized our understanding of Earth's history. By dating rocks and minerals from different time periods, geologists have been able to construct a detailed timeline of Earth's past, including the formation of the planet, the evolution of life, and major geological events like volcanic eruptions and meteor impacts.

Isotopic dating has also been used to study other planets and even the early Solar System. By analyzing the isotopic composition of meteorites and moon rocks, scientists have been able to piece together the history of our Solar System, including the formation of the planets and the timing of major events like asteroid impacts.