Q. Which of the following is/are correct about Carbon Dating?
1.The dating method is based on the fact that Carbon-14 (C-14) is radioactive, and decays at a well-known rate.
2.C-14 is the most abundant isotope of carbon in the atmosphere.
3.The Carbon Dating method cannot be used to determine the age of non-living things and the age of things that are more than 40,000-50,000 years old.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below;

[A] .1 and 2 only

[B] .2 and 3 only

[C] .1 and 3 only

[D] 1, 2 and 3

Answer: C
Notes:

Statement 1 and 3 are correct: The dating method is based on the fact that Carbon-14 (C-14) is radioactive, and decays at a well-known rate.

The Carbon Dating method cannot be used to determine the age of non-living things and the age of things that are more than 40,000-50,000 years old. This is because, after 8-10 cycles of half-lives, the amount of C-14 becomes almost very small and is almost undetectable.

Statement 2 is incorrect: C-14 is an isotope of carbon with an atomic mass of 14. The most abundant isotope of carbon in the atmosphere is C-12. A very small amount of C-14 is also present.

Source: Indian Express

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