Parent isotope

A parent isotope is an original, unstable version of an element that undergoes radioactive decay to become a different, more stable isotope called the daughter isotope. This process involves the parent isotope gradually transforming, releasing energy in the form of radiation, until it reaches a stable state. The concept is important in fields like dating fossils or rocks, where scientists measure the amount of parent and daughter isotopes to determine age. Essentially, the parent isotope is the starting material that decays over time, providing a natural clock for geological and archaeological studies.