The nuclear process which constantly produces ¹⁴C in the Earth’s atmosphere is illustrated below, along with the mechanism of its incorporation into the food chain. What is the major assumption upon which carbon dating is based. Discuss what could have happened in the past to make this assumption incorrect.

Measurement of the beta-decay activity of a buried piece of wood provides a measurement of the time elapsed since it was living and in equilibrium with the atmosphere.

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0₂ P Neutron produced by cosmic radiation 14N Radioactive carbon-14 is present in all 14C living organisms. 14C Carbon dioxide takes carbon-14 into the food cycle. 14CO₂