How can carbon 14 be used in biology?
1 Answer
Nov 27, 2016
This unstable isotope starts to decay into nitrogen-14. It takes 5,730 years for half the carbon-14 to change to nitrogen; this is the half-life of carbon-14.
Explanation:
- The carbon 14 or radiocarbon is a radioactive isotope of carbon. It atomic nucleus contains 6 protons and 8 neutrons.
- Its presence in organic materials is the basis of the radiocarbon dating method.
- The radio dating carbon is pioneered by Willard Libby and colleagues (1949).
- This unstable isotope starts to decay into nitrogen-14. It takes 5,730 years for half the carbon-14 to change to nitrogen.
- This is the half-life of carbon-14.