Re: Variable decay rates

Glenn R. Morton (grmorton@waymark.net)
Fri, 21 Aug 1998 21:13:52 -0500

At 08:38 PM 8/21/98 -0700, Pim van Meurs wrote:
>Vernon mentioned, without proof might I say, that decay rates of
radioactive substances might be variable.
>
>>From "Scientists confront Creationism" Ed. Larie Godfrey
>
>In order to test the hypothesis that cosmic rays might affect the decay
rates, Maxwell (1928) took a polonium source 1,150 feet below the earth
and found no change within the accuracy of the experiment.
>
>Pressure, chemical state and temperature can change the decay rates but
under these very extreme conditions, the maximum variation is a few percent.
>
>Perhaps Vernon can help us out here and show us some data/research that
indicates that decay rates might have varied in the past ?

I want to note that the increase in decay rates which come from pressure
apply only to one type of process--electron capture. This is where an
electron is captured by a proton and turned into a neutron. Such processes
are not used in dating, and the pressures of rocks is not enough to alter
the basic decay rate of such things.
glenn

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