What is the length of decay of carbon-14?

William Santiago

William Santiago

Answered question

2022-04-06

What is the length of decay of carbon-14?

Answer & Explanation

Ariella Bruce

Ariella Bruce

Beginner2022-04-07Added 19 answers

The half life of 14 C is approximately 5730 years ± 40 years.
That means that in 5730 years, half of a sample of 14 C decays by beta emission into 14 N, electrons and electron antineutrinos.
A small proportion of the nitrogen in our upper atmosphere is continuously being converted into 14 C by cosmic rays. This is then included in the carbon compounds in living plants and animals. When they die, they stop absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, so the proportion of 14 C to 12 C starts to decrease, in accordance with the 5730 year half life. So the proportion of 14 C to 12 C can be used to calculate the approximate time since a living organism died.
This assumes we have a good estimate for the proportion at the time the plant or animal was living. This has to be calibrated in order to give good estimates, but radiocarbon dating can provide useful dating for organic artefacts up to about 70,000 years old.

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