rubídium87

Rubidium-87 (87Rb) is a stable isotope of rubidium, a chemical element with the atomic number 37. It is one of the two naturally occurring isotopes of rubidium, with the other being rubidium-85. Rubidium-87 has a natural abundance of approximately 27.83%, making it the more abundant of the two isotopes. Its atomic mass is 86.909183 amu.

Rubidium-87 is significant in various scientific fields. In nuclear physics, it is used as a standard for atomic clocks due to its stable nature and well-understood nuclear properties. These clocks are crucial for precise timekeeping and fundamental physics research. Additionally, rubidium-87 is used in certain types of atomic absorption spectroscopy to analyze the concentration of rubidium in samples.

In astrophysics, the abundance of rubidium-87 is used to study the chemical evolution of the universe. The isotope's production in stars and its subsequent distribution in the interstellar medium provide insights into stellar nucleosynthesis and galactic chemical enrichment.

Rubidium-87 is also used in the field of geology for dating purposes. By measuring the ratio of rubidium-87 to its decay product, strontium-87, geologists can determine the age of rocks and minerals. This technique, known as rubidium-strontium dating, is particularly useful for dating rocks that are older than those that can be dated using other methods.

In summary, rubidium-87 is a stable isotope of rubidium with significant applications in nuclear physics, astrophysics, and geology. Its stable nature and well-understood properties make it a valuable tool in various scientific disciplines.