1. Age equation - error propagation A geochronologist is interested in estimating the age of a sample of the lunar...
1. Age equation - error propagation A geochronologist is interested in estimating the age of a sample of the lunar crust as well as its uncertainty using Uranium/Lead in zircon. The ratio 2380/206Pb is measured with a mass spectrometer. The 'age equation' relates the formation time of the zircon crystal to the U/Pb isotope ratio as 206 Pb 12386 - 1 238 U Where t is the age of the sample. The decay constant 1238 is 1.55136x10-10 yr1. If the ratio 206Pb/238U is measured as 1.01 +/-0.05, what is the age of the sample and its uncertainty?