Question

State whether you agree or disagree with the following statement, provide evidence to support your claim: 'In nature, the chance of finding one isotope of Carbon.

A. Agree, as isotopes of Carbon are uniformly distributed in nature.
B. Disagree, because Carbon isotopes tend to concentrate in specific geological formations.
C. Agree, given that the presence of Carbon isotopes is entirely random in the natural environment.
D. Disagree, as Carbon isotopes are exclusively found in laboratory settings.

Answer 1

Carbon isotopes tend to concentrate in specific geological formations, so it is incorrect to say that they are uniformly distributed in nature.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is B. Disagree, because Carbon isotopes tend to concentrate in specific geological formations.

Carbon has three naturally occurring isotopes: carbon-12 (¹²C), carbon-13 (¹³C), and carbon-14 (¹⁴C). While carbon isotopes are uniformly distributed in the atmosphere, they tend to concentrate in specific geological formations on Earth. This is due to the different stability and abundance of each isotope.

For example, carbon-14 is produced in the upper atmosphere and then becomes part of the carbon cycle through the biosphere. However, it is present in very small amounts compared to carbon-12 and carbon-13. This is why carbon dating is used to determine the age of organic materials, as the concentration of carbon-14 present can provide information about the time since the material was last alive.