parent isotope

A parent isotope is an unstable atom that undergoes radioactive decay, transforming into a more stable "daughter" isotope. This process releases energy and particles. The rate of decay is constant for each isotope and is measured by its half-life, the time it takes for half of the parent atoms to decay.1234

Radioactive isotopes are crucial in dating geological materials. By measuring the ratio of parent to daughter isotopes in minerals, scientists can determine the time elapsed since the mineral formed. This technique, known as isotopic dating, relies on the predictable nature of radioactive decay. Some long-lived isotopes, like potassium-40 and uranium-238, have persisted since the formation of the solar system.567