The Age of Earth Unit Test
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Question
Which is correct about the effectiveness of carbon dating? (1 point)
Responses
It only works for rocks that formed more than about 6,000 years ago.
It only works for rocks that formed more than about 6,000 years ago.
It only works for organisms that died less than about 60,000 years ago.
It only works for organisms that died less than about 60,000 years ago.
It only works for rocks that formed more than about 60,000 years ago.
It only works for rocks that formed more than about 60,000 years ago.
It only works for organisms that died less than about 6,000 years ago.
It only works for organisms that died less than about 60,000 years ago.
The correct response is:
It only works for organisms that died less than about 60,000 years ago.
To determine the correct answer about the effectiveness of carbon dating, you need to understand the basic principles of this dating method. Carbon dating is a technique used to determine the age of organic materials, such as plants or animals, based on the decay of the radioactive isotope carbon-14.
The answer can be found by considering the decay rate of carbon-14. Carbon-14 has a half-life of around 5,730 years, which means that after this period, only half of the original amount of carbon-14 will remain. As a result, carbon dating is most effective for determining ages up to several tens of thousands of years.
Now let's look at the answer choices:
1. "It only works for rocks that formed more than about 6,000 years ago."
This statement is incorrect because carbon dating is not used to date rocks. It is specifically used for organic materials.
2. "It only works for organisms that died less than about 60,000 years ago."
This statement is correct. Carbon dating is most effective for dating organisms that died within the past 60,000 years, as it relies on the decay of carbon-14.
3. "It only works for rocks that formed more than about 60,000 years ago."
This statement is incorrect for the same reason as the first answer choice. Carbon dating is not applicable to rocks.
4. "It only works for organisms that died less than about 6,000 years ago."
This statement is incorrect. Carbon dating can provide reliable age estimates for organisms up to about 60,000 years old, not just up to 6,000 years.
Based on this analysis, the correct answer is:
- "It only works for organisms that died less than about 60,000 years ago."