Why measure the carbon-14 works? Are the carbons atoms create some manner in the life of the organism now dead and fossilized? How do we know that the atoms weren’t there before?

Question

Why measure the carbon-14 works? Are the carbons atoms create some manner in the life of the organism now dead and fossilized? How do we know that the atoms weren’t there before?

In: Other

Answer 1

Carbon 14 in the atmosphere (up until the nuclear bombs) existed in a natural balance – a specific ratio of c-14 to overall carbon. This is from a process in the upper atmosphere involving cosmic rays.

So, the ‘count’ starts when that carbon is absorbed from the atmosphere by the plant, at which point it is removed from the equilibrium and its carbon 14 is no longer being regenerated.