Question

Identify the reasons why radiocarbon dates must be calibrated. Select all reasons that apply.

A) To correct for variations in the Earth's magnetic field.
B) To account for fluctuations in atmospheric carbon-14 levels.
C) To improve the precision and accuracy of dating ancient samples.
D) To adjust for the influence of climate and environmental factors.
E) To account for errors in the laboratory measurement of carbon-14.
F) To determine the exact age of historical events.

Answer 1

Radiocarbon dates must be calibrated primarily to account for fluctuations in atmospheric carbon-14 levels, enhance the precision and accuracy of dating ancient samples, and adjust for the influence of climate and environmental factors on the dating process.

Step-by-step explanation:

Radiocarbon dates need to be calibrated for several reasons. The main reasons are:

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• B) To account for fluctuations in atmospheric carbon-14 levels. Such fluctuations can result from several factors, such as changes in the Earth's magnetic field, fossil fuel combustion, and other processes that alter the ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 in the atmosphere.
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• C) To improve the precision and accuracy of dating ancient samples. Calibration ensures that radiocarbon dating results are as accurate as possible.
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• D) To adjust for the influence of climate and environmental factors. These factors can affect the initial concentration of carbon-14 and hence the dating process.

Without calibration, radiocarbon dating would not be reliable because it would not take into consideration the varying factors that affect the initial concentration of carbon-14 in a given sample.