Radiometric age determinations are expensive and time-consuming. A geologist has to be sure that an age of a rock will help answer an important research question before he or she devotes time and money to making a radiometric age measurement.

Is radioactive dating an estimate?

Radiometric dating, often called radioactive dating, is a technique used to determine the age of materials such as rocks. The different methods of radiometric dating are accurate over different timescales, and they are useful for different materials.

Is radioisotope dating reliable?

Absolutely. It is an accurate way to date specific geologic events. This is an enormous branch of geochemistry called Geochronology. There are many radiometric clocks and when applied to appropriate materials, the dating can be very accurate.

What are the disadvantages of absolute dating?

What Are Some Disadvantages Of Absolute Dating? Although scientist use high caution while dating objects, recent studies say that scientist still make errors. Many of the dates used with this method are inaccurate due to improper set up. The dates may not actually be stable over long periods of time.