Question

Carbon -14 dating method is based on the fact that:

• A. ratio of carbon -14 and carbon-12 constant
• B. carbon -14 is the same in all objects
• C. carbon-14 is highly insoluble
• D. all of these

Answer 1

The correct option is A ratio of carbon -14 and carbon-12 constant

The living matter contains a definite amount of the radioactive carbon isotope $C^{14}$

The amount of carbon$-14$ is compared to the amount of carbon$-12$ to determine how much radiocarbon has decayed.

The ratio of carbon$-12$ to carbon$-14$ is the same in all the living things.

At the moment of death, the amount of $C-12$ remains constant in the sample but the amount of $C-14$ decreases because it is unstable.

By measuring the ratio of carbon$-12$ tocarbon$-14$ in the sample and comparing it to the ratio in a living organism, it is possible to determine the age of the artifact.