Potassium-40 (40K) is a radioactive isotope of potassium which has a long half-life of 1.

25
billion years. It makes up about 0.012% (120 ppm) of the total amount of potassium found in
nature.

Potassium-40 undergoes three types of radioactive decay. In about 89.28% of events, it

decays to calcium-40 (40Ca) with emission of a beta particle (β−, an electron) with a
maximum energy of 1.31 MeV and an antineutrino. In about 10.72% of events, it decays to
argon-40 (40Ar) by electron capture (EC), with the emission of a neutrino and then a 1.460
MeV gamma ray.[Note 1] The radioactive decay of this particular isotope explains the large
abundance of argon (nearly 1%) in the Earth's atmosphere, as well as prevalence of 40Ar
over other isotopes. Very rarely (0.001% of events), it decays to 40Ar by emitting a positron
(β+) and a neutrino.[1]

Potassium–argon dating

Decay scheme

Main article: K–Ar dating

Potassium-40 is especially important in potassium–argon (K–Ar) dating. Argon is a gas that

does not ordinarily combine with other elements. So, when a mineral forms – whether from
molten rock, or from substances dissolved in water – it will be initially argon-free, even if
there is some argon in the liquid. However, if the mineral contains any potassium, then decay
of the 40K isotope present will create fresh argon-40 that will remain locked up in the
mineral. Since the rate at which this conversion occurs is known, it is possible to determine
the elapsed time since the mineral formed by measuring the ratio of 40K and 40Ar atoms
contained in it.

The argon found in Earth's atmosphere is 99.6% 40Ar; whereas the argon in the Sun – and
presumably in the primordial material that condensed into the planets – is mostly 36Ar, with
less than 15% of 38Ar. It follows that most of the terrestrial argon derives from potassium-40
that decayed into argon-40, which eventually escaped to the atmosphere.

Contribution to natural radioactivity

The evolution of Earth's mantle radiogenic heat flow over time: contribution from 40K in
yellow.

The radioactive decay of 40K in the Earth's mantle ranks third, after 232Th and 238U, as the
source of radiogenic heat. The core also likely contains radiogenic sources, although how
much is uncertain. It has been proposed that significant core radioactivity (1–2 TW) may be
caused by high levels of U, Th, and K.[2][3]

Potassium-40 is the largest source of natural radioactivity in animals including humans. A 70

kg human body contains about 140 g of potassium, hence about 140 g × 0.0117% ≈ 16.4 mg
of 40K;[4] whose decay produces about 3850[5] to 4300 disintegrations per second
(becquerel) continuously throughout the life of the person.[Note 2][6]
Banana equivalent dose

Potassium-40 is famous for its usage in the banana equivalent dose, an informal unit of
measurement, primarily used in generalized educational settings, to compare radioactive
dosages to the amount received by consuming one banana. The radioactive dosage from
consuming one banana is generally agreed to be 10−7 sievert, or 0.1 microsievert, which is
1% of the average American's daily radioactive intake.[7]