GLGY 493 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Clay Minerals, Edmond Halley, Feldspar
14 Sep 2017
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Document Summary
Geochronology: the science of determining the age of rocks. Steno described the relative age of strata in a sequence. Relative geologic dating: relative dating places geologic events, and the rocks representing those events, in sequence. Actual geologic dating (absolute): expresses, in years, the approximate actual age of rocks or geologic events. Atom: the smallest particle of matter than can exist as a chemical element. Alpha particle: alpha particles are positively charged ions of the element helium. They have an atomic weight of 4 and an atomic number of 2. Thus, when the alpha particle is emitted, the resulting slightly lighter atom has a reduced atomic weight of 234 and a lowered atomic number of 90. Beta particle: a beta particle is an electron that is released when a neutron splits into a proton and electron. Gamma radiation: gamma rays are invisible electromagnetic waves that have extremely high frequencies.
