Why don't researchers use ¹⁴C to date fossils in rocks from the Cambrian Period? A)Cambrian fossils do not contain carbon. B)¹⁴C only formed in more recent geologic periods. C)¹⁴C cannot provide accurate dates. D)The amount of ¹⁴C remaining in Cambrian specimens is far too small to be measured accurately.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Cambrian Period is over 500 million years ago, making any ¹⁴C (a cipher for Carbon-14, C14) decay to levels that are undetectable with current technology. Carbon-14 has a half-life of about 5,730 years, so after about 50,000 years, there's too little left to measure accurately.

Why Don't Researchers Use 14C to Date Fossils in Rocks

Why Don't Researchers Use ¹⁴C to Date Fossils in Rocks