Carbon-14

Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope of carbon discovered February 27, 1940, by Martin Kamen and Sam Ruben. Its nucleus contains 6 protons and 8 neutrons. Its presence in organic materials is used in radiocarbon dating.

Related Topics:
Radioactive - Isotope - Carbon - February 27 - 1940 - Martin Kamen - Sam Ruben - Nucleus - Protons - Neutrons - Radiocarbon dating

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It occurs naturally and has a relative abundance up to 0.00000000012%.

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The half-life of carbon-14 is 5730 years. It decays into nitrogen-14 through beta-decay. It is produced in the upper layers of the troposphere and the stratosphere by thermal (low energy) neutrons absorbed by Nitrogen. It can also be produced in ice by high-energy neutrons causing spallation reactions in Oxygen.

Related Topics:
Half-life - Nitrogen-14 - Beta-decay

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