Which one of the following statements is true concerning the radioisotope carbon-14 that is used in carbon dating? A)Carbon-14 is produced by living cells. B)Carbon-14 is produced during $\beta$^- decay. C)Carbon-14 is produced by the decay of carbon-12. D)Carbon-14 is produced by cells after they have died. E)Carbon-14 is produced by cosmic rays striking the atmosphere.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Carbon-14 is produced in the atmosphere when cosmic rays strike nitrogen atoms, which then undergo a nuclear reaction to produce carbon-14. It is then taken up by living organisms and used in biological processes. When an organism dies, it stops taking in carbon-14 and the carbon-14 begins to decay into nitrogen-14 at a known rate, allowing scientists to use the amount of carbon-14 left in a sample to determine its age through carbon dating.

Which One of the Following Statements Is True Concerning the Radioisotope