Radiocarbon dating works by comparing the three different isotopes of carbon. Isotopes of a particular element have the same number of protons in their nucleus, but different numbers of neutrons. Most 14C is produced in the upper atmosphere where neutrons, which are produced by cosmic rays, react with 14N atoms.

How does radiocarbon dating work quizlet?

How does it work? By counting the percentage of carbon-14 in the tissue of the material and comparing it with the percentage of carbon-14 in living systems, they can see how many carbon-14 nuclei have decayed.

How does radiocarbon dating work GCSE?

Carbon dating The amount of carbon-14 in the atmosphere has not changed in thousands of years. Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and animals eat plants. This means all living things have radioactive carbon-14 in them. When an organism, eg a tree, dies it stops taking in carbon dioxide.

What do you call if two or more elements are combined?

Elements can be chemically combined into compounds, therefore, a compound consists of two or more elements combined, in definite proportions, by chemical means. Compounds may be formed by combining atoms of their constituent elements by ionic bonds or by covalent bonds.