147Sm144Nd

147Sm144Nd refers to the radioactive decay of Samarium-147 (147Sm) into Neodymium-144 (144Nd). This nuclear transformation is a key process in the Samarium-Neodymium dating system, a radiometric dating method used to determine the age of rocks and meteorites. Samarium-147 is an isotope of samarium with a very long half-life, approximately 1.06 x 10^11 years. This extended decay time makes it suitable for dating very old geological and extraterrestrial materials.

The decay process involves beta decay, where a neutron within the 147Sm nucleus is converted into a proton, emitting an electron and an antineutrino. This results in the formation of Neodymium-144, a stable isotope of neodymium. The key to the dating system lies in the ratio of the parent isotope (147Sm) to the daughter isotope (144Nd) within a sample, along with the known decay rate. By measuring this ratio and accounting for the initial amount of 144Nd present when the rock or meteorite formed, scientists can calculate the time elapsed since the material solidified.

The 147Sm-144Nd dating system is particularly useful for dating meteorites, allowing for the study of the early solar system's history. It can also be applied to terrestrial rocks, although other radiometric dating systems are often used depending on the age and composition of the sample. The precise measurement of isotopic ratios is crucial for accurate dating.