Question

A fossilized egg from an extinct species of dinosaur has been discovered. One scientists claims that using C-14 dating methods can easily determine the approximate age of the fossil. Which statement correctly supports or refutes this claim?
Responses
A This claim is accepted because all living organisms contain carbon.This claim is accepted because all living organisms contain carbon.
B This claim is refuted because C-14 can only be used for living organisms, and the fossil of the egg is nonliving.This claim is refuted because C-14 can only be used for living organisms, and the fossil of the egg is nonliving.
C This claim is refuted because C-14 dating cannot be used for fossils over 100,000 years old since it has a relatively short half-life.This claim is refuted because C-14 dating cannot be used for fossils over 100,000 years old since it has a relatively short half-life.
D This claim is accepted because dinosaurs have been extinct for less than one million years, indicating that enough of the C-14 is left in the fossil.This claim is accepted because dinosaurs have been extinct for less than one million years, indicating that enough of the C-14 is left in the fossil.

Answer 1

C

Radiocarbon dating is unsuitable for dinosaur remains because C-14 has a half-life of ~5,730 years and is only useful to about 40–50 thousand years (at most). Nonavian dinosaurs went extinct ~66 million years ago, far beyond the range of C-14 dating.