GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Detailed explanation-1: -Radioactive C-14 is produced in the atmosphere by the bombardment of N-14 with neutrons. Then C-14 is oxidised to 14CO2 which in turn is incorporated in plants as a result of photosynthesis. Hence, all plants contain some C-14. The carbon of animals is ultimately derived from plants, thus animals also contains C-14.

Detailed explanation-2: -All living organisms contain carbon-12 and carbon-14. Even though the carbon-14 slowly decays, it is continuously replaced so that the ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 is constant while the organism is living (Wilbraham p. 576).

Detailed explanation-3: -Carbon occurs naturally in three isotopes: carbon 12, which has 6 neutrons (plus 6 protons equals 12), carbon 13, which has 7 neutrons, and carbon 14, which has 8 neutrons. Every element has its own number of isotopes.

Detailed explanation-4: -C-14 is known as a radioactive isotope of Carbon.

Detailed explanation-5: -Carbon-14 is continually formed in nature by the interaction of neutrons with nitrogen-14 in the Earth’s atmosphere; the neutrons required for this reaction are produced by cosmic rays interacting with the atmosphere.