What is radiometric dating?

Radiometric dating is a method​​ for​​ determining the age of igneous rocks (those formed by cooling lava or magma). These rocks encapsulate radioactive isotopes. As they decay,​​ these isotopes (parent isotopes) change into a more stable isotope (daughter isotopes). For example –

Uranium 238 (parent) eventually decays into Lead 206 (daughter)

​​ The radioactive decay rate is measured by the half-life, which is the time it takes for half of the remaining parent isotopes to decay into daughter isotopes. Scientists have developed charts that show the half-life of most radioactive isotopes.​​ 

Measuring the number of daughter isotopes, which is assumed to be the total number since the rock was formed, and knowing the decay rate allows a person to calculate how long it took for the daughter isotopes to form.​​ 

However, several assumptions must be made to determine the rock's age correctly.

Assumptions –​​ 

1.​​ The initial condition of the rock

2.​​ A constant decay rate

3.​​ No alteration of the parent or daughter isotopes

​​ These assumptions are necessary because no one was present when the rock formed. No one observed the rock and determined its decay rate. And no one observed the rock from its formation to the present to see whether any outside forces affected its condition.

So, if anyone cites radiometric dating as proof of the age of the Earth, you can point out these facts to dispute the idea of “billions of years”! It just ain’t so.​​ 

Watch this 3-minute​​ video​​ for a quick overview of radiometric dating.

For more information on radiometric dating, visit these websites –

https://answersingenesis.org/geology/radiometric-dating/

https://creation.com/search?q=radiometric+dating - gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=radiometric%20dating&gsc.page=1