CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

THEORY OF NUCLEAR AGE DETERMINATION

THE CARBON-14 CLOCK

THE LONG-LIVED CLOCKS

THE AGE OF THE EARTH

SOME INTERESTING RESULTS The Old Man from Olduvai

AND WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

GLOSSARY

APPENDIX Radioactive Decay

SUGGESTED REFERENCES Books

Footnotes

Transcriber's Notes

The Understanding the Atom Series

Nuclear Energy is playing a vital role in the life of every man, woman, and child in the United States today. In the years ahead it will affect increasingly all the peoples of the earth. It is essential that all Americans gain an understanding of this vital force if they are to discharge thoughtfully their responsibilities as citizens and if they are to realize fully the myriad benefits that nuclear energy offers them.

The United States Atomic Energy Commission provides this booklet to help you achieve such understanding.

Edward J. Brunenkant, Director Division of Technical Information

by Henry Faul