Cosmogenic isotope

Okay kiddo, so you know how the Earth is constantly bombarded by rays from the sun and space? These rays are called cosmic rays. When these cosmic rays collide with elements like carbon, beryllium, and aluminum that are found in rocks on the Earth's surface, they create what are called cosmogenic isotopes.

Think of these isotopes like a special type of LEGO block. They're made when a cosmic ray hits a regular LEGO block and changes it into a different shape that has different properties. Scientists use these cosmogenic isotopes like a detective uses clues to figure out things like how old rocks are, how fast glaciers are moving, and even how long ago a volcano erupted.

So to sum it up, cosmogenic isotopes are special types of atoms that are made when cosmic rays hit rocks on Earth's surface, and they can help scientists figure out really cool things!