7
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 12:
Line 12: − + − − Depending on the method used to measure the <sup>14</sup>C, after about 50,000 years or so there is not enough left to measure, although advanced techniques can possibly stretch that to 100,000 years.<ref>Nave, R., [http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/nuclear/cardat.html Carbon Dating], Georgia State University.</ref> − This then becomes the maximum age that can theoretically be derived by this method. − − Therefore, any sample with too little <sup>14</sup>C to measure must, in theory, be older than 50,000 to 100,000 years, and it is not possible to determine how much older. − Similarly, any sample with measurable <sup>14</sup>C must be younger than 50,000 to 100,000 years, assuming that adequate precautions have been taken to eliminate contamination.
Really you give the impression that we conservative know nothing of science.
In the meantime, however, the <sup>14</sup>C will combine with [[oxygen]] in the atmosphere to form [[carbon dioxide]], which enters the food chain via [[photosynthesis]] in plants.<ref name="TH" />
In the meantime, however, the <sup>14</sup>C will combine with [[oxygen]] in the atmosphere to form [[carbon dioxide]], which enters the food chain via [[photosynthesis]] in plants.<ref name="TH" />
By this means, most living things also have <sup>14</sup>C and <sup>12</sup>C in the same ratio as in the atmosphere.
By this means, most living things also have <sup>14</sup>C and <sup>12</sup>C in the same ratio as in the atmosphere.
This ratio is about one <sup>14</sup>C atom for every 1,000,000,000,000 <sup>12</sup>C atoms.<ref name="TH" />
This ratio is about one <sup>14</sup>C atom for every 1,000,000,000,000 currently but this is a decelerating rate of change. <sup>12</sup>C atoms.<ref name="TH" />
However, when the sample dies, it stops ingesting <sup>14</sup>C, so as the <sup>14</sup>C decays to <sup>14</sup>N, the ratio of <sup>14</sup>C and <sup>12</sup>C changes.
However, when the sample dies, it stops ingesting <sup>14</sup>C, so as the <sup>14</sup>C decays to <sup>14</sup>N, the ratio of <sup>14</sup>C and <sup>12</sup>C changes.
This ratio of <sup>14</sup>C to <sup>12</sup>C is measured and a calculation turns the measurement into a figure representing how long ago the sample died.
This ratio of <sup>14</sup>C to <sup>12</sup>C is measured and a calculation turns the measurement into a figure representing how long ago the sample died.
== Limits of Carbon Dating ==
== Limits of Carbon Dating ==