Register
Why can't scientists simply use carbon-12 (12C) do determine the age of dead carbon-based life forms?
9.3k views
3 votes
Why can't scientists simply use carbon-12 (12C) do determine

the age of dead carbon-based life forms?

User Jco
by
4.8k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Answer:

carbon-12 is not radioactive

Step-by-step explanation:

The measurement of the age of dead carbon based life forms requires the use of a radioactive isotope hence it is often referred to as radiocarbon dating.

Carbon-12 and Carbon-14 occur together in living things.The half life of Carbon-14 is about 5670 years.

Hence, since Carbon-12 is not radioactive, it can not be used to measure the age of dead carbon based materials.

User Andrew Hall
by
5.4k points
Ask a Question
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

5.6m questions

7.3m answers

Other Questions

How many pounds in a 3.00 l bottle of drinking water?
Compound A is an organic compound which contains Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen. When 0.240g of the vapour of A is slowly passed over a large quantity of heated Copper (II) oxide, CuO, the compound A is completely
Chlorine (Cl) forms a salt when it is combined with a metal. This element belongs in _____. group 18 group 17 period 18 period 17
In the following diagram for preparation of hydrogen gas as shown in the figure,what would happen if the following changes are made? (a) In place of zinc granules, same amount of zinc dust is taken in
When one substance changes into one or more new substances, it has exhibited a 1. chemical change. 2. chemical reaction. 3. physical change. 4. chemical property?
Link Copied!