Post by jonbain on Jan 27, 2023 7:19:01 GMT
I have been trying to get to the core of how the radiocarbon testing works, precisely.
My summary so far is that
1) cosmic rays turn nitrogen into carbon14 in the upper atmosphere
2) so there is always a consistent amount of c14 in the living body
3) when it dies and is no longer exposed to the atmosphere, then c14 decays at a consistent rate (half-life).
There are several problems here.
First, its the first i hear of elements changing isotopes outside of stars going nova, or nukes.
I had heard numerous times that its only possible for elements to change in extreme energy situations.
And then the c14 just changes back again into nitrogen in the dead lifeform?
The major problem i have here, however, is why it decays differently if its a dead lifeform, rather than rock or sand.
What is it about dead lifeforms that have this effect on c14 in these conditions?
After all, much seasand and soil is just decomposing life forms anyway?
If this is arbitrary chemically, then it could be that other non-living substances could also show
evidence of the regular half-life decay.
I'm just a curious philosopher, btw,
sticking his nose into everything interesting.
I would like to know if anyone around here knows anybody how actually does this sort of thing.
Or is it all just another 'faith'-based bureaucracy in the guise of science?