Question

Which of the dating techniques described in the text and websites are most useful for the study of human evolution, and why? Keep in mind that the time period for human evolution extends back 5 million years, with our species, Homo sapiens emerging about 200,000 years ago.

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Answer 1

Question:

Answer: Ancestors of human beings were appeared approx. 5 million years ago. Argon-argon dating method is the most effective method can be used for estimation of age of our ancestor belonging 5 million years ago and evolved human beings which is approx. 200000 years old. Argon-Argon dating methods is a radioactivity based method where we measure the radioactive decay constant of natural decay of 39K which resulted in production of argon isotope 39Ar. Argon-argon dating method has advantage over K-Ar dating method because, it’s required single aliquot of sample for measurement of K and Ar radioelement. Other methods can be used i.e., molecular genetic clock, C14 carbon, but all have their advantage and disadvantages. C-14 dating is newest technique used for dating but it can work for dating of 250000 years old sample.