Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Reagan is King
"How do you carbon date something that has been burned? It seems like that would mess up the carbon compounds and throw off the results."

Nope---it is the RATIO of C14 to C12 that matters. Mere burning won't change that--the remaining carbon will still have the same ratio of isotopes as the original wood.

11 posted on 11/19/2004 8:20:13 AM PST by Wonder Warthog (The Hog of Steel)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies ]


To: Wonder Warthog

I believe you have to burn it anyway to do the carbon dating.


12 posted on 11/19/2004 8:22:21 AM PST by SlowBoat407 ( Just drive away and remove the piece of paper that is stuck to window later.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies ]

To: Wonder Warthog; Hartranft; OHelix

Good info, thanks!


24 posted on 11/19/2004 10:07:56 AM PST by Reagan is King (The modern definition of 'racist' is someone who is winning an argument with a liberal.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson