40,986 views
19 votes
19 votes
Compared to an atom of C-12, an atom of C-14 has

A) fewer protons
C) more neutrons
B) fewer neutrons
D) more protons

User Cactux
by
3.3k points

1 Answer

17 votes
17 votes

Step-by-step explanation:

Carbon-12 atoms have stable nuclei because of the 1:1 ratio of protons and neutrons.

Carbon-14 atoms have nuclei which are unstable. C-14 atoms will undergo alpha decay and produce atoms of N-14. Carbon-14 dating can be used to determine the age of artifacts which are not more than 50,000 years old.

User Maxym
by
2.7k points