Question

How can carbon 14 be used in biology?

Answer 1

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:

1. The carbon 14 or radiocarbon is a radioactive isotope of carbon. It atomic nucleus contains 6 protons and 8 neutrons.
2. Its presence in organic materials is the basis of the radiocarbon dating method.
3. The radio dating carbon is pioneered by Willard Libby and colleagues (1949).
4. This unstable isotope starts to decay into nitrogen-14. It takes 5,730 years for half the carbon-14 to change to nitrogen.
5. This is the half-life of carbon-14.