carbon-14

Introduction

radioactive isotope of carbon

Occurrence

• 1 part per trillion (0.0000000001%) of the carbon in the atmosphere
• the primary natural source of carbon-14 on earth is cosmic ray action upon nitrogen in the atmosphere

Uses

• used for carbon dating

Pharmacokinetics

• 1/2 life of carbon-14 is 5730 years
• carbon-14 decays into nitrogen-14 through beta decay

More general terms

• carbon [C]
• radioactive isotope