Question

What two things must be true about a sample in order to date it via radiocarbon dating by evaluating the decay of carbon-14?

A.
It must be inorganic and be at least 50,000 years old.

B.
It must be a marine animal and must have died recently.

C.
It must be organic and less than 50,000 years old.

D.
It must be a land animal and must have died recently.

Answer 1

C. It must be organic and less than 50,000 years old.

Radiocarbon dating measures decay of carbon-14, so the material must contain organic carbon and be young enough (roughly <50,000 years) for measurable 14C to remain.