What is the cut off age for dating fossils by their Carbon 14 content?
A) 60,000 years
B) 12,000 years
C) 6,000 years
D) 2,000 years
E) 500 years

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Carbon 14 dating can only be used to date fossils that are up to 60,000 years old. As the half-life of carbon 14 is about 5,700 years, after 60,000 years there is not enough carbon 14 left to accurately determine the age of the fossil. Choices B, C, D and E are incorrect as they all represent ages younger than the cutoff for carbon 14 dating.

What Is the Cut Off Age for Dating Fossils by Their