3
QuizMultiple Choice

Absolute Dating

Question 3 • 26/27 EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE A

Which phrase describes carbon-14 dating?

Answer
A
uses the rate at which nitrogen-14 decays into carbon-14
B
dates the remains of organisms to determine when they died
C
measures the number of unstable elements in ancient volcanic rocks
D
determines the age of ancient fossils older than 50,000 years old

Explanation

Carbon-14 dating measures the radioactive decay of carbon-14 in once-living material. Since the amount decreases at a known rate after an organism dies, scientists can estimate when it died. It is not used for fossils older than about 50,000 years, because too little carbon-14 remains to measure reliably.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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