Which quantity helps determine the absolute age of rocks and fossils?(1 point) Responses the ratio of protons to neutrons in carbon-14 the ratio of protons to neutrons in carbon-14 the difference between the number of protons and neutrons in carbon-14 the difference between the number of protons and neutrons in carbon-14 the difference between the amounts of carbon-12 and carbon-14 the difference between the amounts of carbon-12 and carbon-14 the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14
The correct answer is the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14.
The correct answer is:
The ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14.
The quantity that helps determine the absolute age of rocks and fossils is the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14. Carbon-12 and carbon-14 are isotopes of the element carbon. While carbon-12 is stable, carbon-14 is radioactive and undergoes radioactive decay over time. By measuring the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14 in a sample, scientists can estimate the age of the sample through a process called carbon dating.
To determine the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14, scientists analyze the amounts of these isotopes in a sample using various techniques such as mass spectrometry. By comparing the measured ratio to a known reference ratio, they can calculate the absolute age of the sample.
So, to determine the absolute age of rocks and fossils, scientists use the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14.