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How does carbon 12 become carbon 14?

Updated: 9/16/2023
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8y ago

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It doesn't. Under natural conditions, carbon 14 generally forms from nitrogen 14. A high energy neutron from space strikes the nitrogen nucleus, causing it to eject a proton, ultimately forming a carbon 14 atom and hydrogen 1 atom. It can also occur via neutron capture by carbon 13. Currently there is an overabundance of carbon 14 in the atmosphere as a result of nuclear testing.

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8y ago
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Q: How does carbon 12 become carbon 14?
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