The Ratio of Carbon-14 (¹⁴C) to Its Stable Isotope, Carbon-12

Multiple Choice

The ratio of carbon-14 (¹⁴C) to its stable isotope, carbon-12 (¹²C) , is relatively constant in living organisms and their environment; however, this changes once an organism dies.In a fossil approximately 40,000 years old,

A) the ratio of ¹⁴C to ¹²C would be higher because the ¹²C is not replenished after death.
B) the ratio of ¹⁴C to ¹²C would be lower because the ¹⁴C is not replenished after death.
C) the ratio of ¹⁴C to ¹²C would not change because the ¹⁴C is replenished after death.
D) the ratio of ¹⁴C to ¹²C would be equal (1:1) .
E) the ¹⁴C would be completely gone; all remaining carbon by this time would be ¹²C.