William Libby invented carbon dating in 1948. It works on the principle that the carbon 14-C, is radioactive. It decays at a "known" rate called a half-life. This is balanced by the fact that 14-C is constantly produced in atmospheric reactions. Because of this, 14-C and it's breakdown product 12-C, typically stay in balance. Carbon is passed between the ocean, atmosphere, and living things in the "Carbon Cycle". When an animal dies i

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