Chapter 17, Problem 28E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The source of carbon-14 in the environment and the uniform distribution of the carbon-14 in the organisms are to be explained.

Concept introduction: The carbon-14 is constantly formed in the upper atmosphere of the environment by the neutron bombardment of nitrogen.

${}_7^{14}N+{}_0^{1}n\to {}_6^{14}C+{}_1^{1}H$

The carbon-14 so formed has half-life of 5715 years and it undergoes beta decay to convert back into nitrogen.