Question: The isotope 40K can decay to either 40Ca or 40Ar; assume both decays have a half-life of 1.26 x 109 y. The ratio of the

The isotope 40K can decay to either 40Ca or 40Ar; assume both decays have a half-life of 1.26 x 109 y. The ratio of the Ca produced to the Ar produced is 8.54/1 = 8.54. A sample originally had only 40K. It now has equal amounts of 40K and 40Ar; that is, the ratio of K to Ar is 1/1 = l. How old is the sample?

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