Carbon-14 is continually formed in nature by the interaction of neutrons with nitrogen-14 in the Earths atmosphere; the neutrons required for this reaction are produced by cosmic rays interacting with the atmosphere.

What is the source of carbon-14?

Carbon-14 is a naturally occurring radionuclide produced in the upper atmosphere by reaction of cosmic ray produced neutrons via 14N (n, p)14C, 14C level in the atmosphere was approximately constant before the human nuclear activity (equilibrium between new generated 14C and removal of 14C due to its radioactive decay)

How is c14 produced in the atmosphere?

Carbon-14 is produced in the stratosphere by nuclear reactions of atmospheric nitrogen with thermal neutrons produced naturally by cosmic rays (with the highest production rate 10 to 13 miles above Earths poles), as well as by atmospheric nuclear weapons testing in the 1950s and 60s.

Is N 14 an isotope?

The stable isotope of nitrogen with relative atomic mass 14.003074. The most abundant (99.63 atom percent) isotope of naturally occurring nitrogen. Any nutrient required in large quantities by organisms throughout their life in order to orchestrate a range of physiological functions.

Why is carbon-14 not considered an isotope?

They all have the same atomic number, same number of protons. Explain why carbon-14 and nitrogen-14 are not considered isotopes of each other? Because they are two different elements. Same mass number but different atomic number.