UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Questions  >  Consider the following statements regarding r... Start Learning for Free
Consider the following statements regarding radiocarbon dating:
1. Radioactive isotope commonly used in radiocarbon dating is C-14.
2. It can measure age of fossils up to 100 million years old.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Consider the following statements regarding radiocarbon dating:1. Radi...
  • Radiocarbon dating, also known as carbon-14 dating, is a widely used method for determining the age of organic materials by measuring the radioactive decay of Carbon-14 (14C). Hence statement 1 is correct.
  • Radiocarbon dating relies on the radioactive isotope Carbon-14 (C-14), a naturally occurring isotope of carbon. Carbon-14 is produced in the atmosphere through the interaction of cosmic rays with nitrogen-14.
    • Living organisms take in carbon, including the radioactive C-14, through processes such as photosynthesis or consumption of other organisms.
    • When an organism dies, it stops taking in carbon, and the C-14 in its tissues undergoes radioactive decay.
    • By measuring the remaining C-14 in a sample, scientists can estimate the time that has elapsed since the death of the organism. Radiocarbon dating has limitations on its effective dating range. The half-life of Carbon-14 is approximately 5,730 years. As a result, radiocarbon dating is most effective for dating materials up to around 50,000 years. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
  • Beyond this timeframe, the amount of remaining Carbon-14 becomes too small to provide accurate measurements.
  • For dating fossils or materials that are millions of years old, other dating methods based on different isotopes, such as uranium-series dating or potassium-argon dating, are more appropriate
View all questions of this test
Most Upvoted Answer
Consider the following statements regarding radiocarbon dating:1. Radi...
Explanation:

- Statement 1: Correct. The radioactive isotope commonly used in radiocarbon dating is Carbon-14 (C-14). This isotope is formed in the atmosphere through the interaction of cosmic rays with nitrogen.
- Statement 2: Incorrect. Radiocarbon dating is not suitable for measuring the age of fossils up to 100 million years old. It is typically used to determine the age of organic materials up to around 50,000 years old. Beyond this timeframe, other dating methods such as potassium-argon dating are more appropriate.
Therefore, the correct answer is option A) 1 only.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Consider the following statements regarding radiocarbon dating:1. Radioactive isotope commonly used in radiocarbon dating is C-14.2. It can measure age of fossils up to 100 million years old.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Consider the following statements regarding radiocarbon dating:1. Radioactive isotope commonly used in radiocarbon dating is C-14.2. It can measure age of fossils up to 100 million years old.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Consider the following statements regarding radiocarbon dating:1. Radioactive isotope commonly used in radiocarbon dating is C-14.2. It can measure age of fossils up to 100 million years old.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Consider the following statements regarding radiocarbon dating:1. Radioactive isotope commonly used in radiocarbon dating is C-14.2. It can measure age of fossils up to 100 million years old.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Consider the following statements regarding radiocarbon dating:1. Radioactive isotope commonly used in radiocarbon dating is C-14.2. It can measure age of fossils up to 100 million years old.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Consider the following statements regarding radiocarbon dating:1. Radioactive isotope commonly used in radiocarbon dating is C-14.2. It can measure age of fossils up to 100 million years old.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Consider the following statements regarding radiocarbon dating:1. Radioactive isotope commonly used in radiocarbon dating is C-14.2. It can measure age of fossils up to 100 million years old.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Consider the following statements regarding radiocarbon dating:1. Radioactive isotope commonly used in radiocarbon dating is C-14.2. It can measure age of fossils up to 100 million years old.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Consider the following statements regarding radiocarbon dating:1. Radioactive isotope commonly used in radiocarbon dating is C-14.2. It can measure age of fossils up to 100 million years old.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Consider the following statements regarding radiocarbon dating:1. Radioactive isotope commonly used in radiocarbon dating is C-14.2. It can measure age of fossils up to 100 million years old.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev