Which quantity helps determine the absolute age of rocks and fossils?(1 point)
Responses
the difference between the number of protons and neutrons in carbon-14
the difference between the number of protons and neutrons in carbon-14
the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14
the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14
the difference between the amounts of carbon-12 and carbon-14
the difference between the amounts of carbon-12 and carbon-14
the ratio of protons to neutrons in carbon-14
the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14
The quantity that helps determine the absolute age of rocks and fossils is the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14.
The correct answer is: the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14.
To determine the absolute age of rocks and fossils, scientists often use a method called radiometric dating. This method relies on the natural decay of radioactive isotopes - specifically carbon-14 in the case of organic materials.
Carbon-14 is an isotope of carbon, which means it has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons compared to the stable isotope, carbon-12. Carbon-14 is radioactive and decays over time at a predictable rate.
By measuring the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14 in a sample, scientists can estimate the age of the material. This is because the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14 changes over time as carbon-14 decays.
Therefore, the correct quantity that helps determine the absolute age of rocks and fossils is the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14.