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Carbon-14 forms in the atmosphere from nitrogen-14 by:
ALosing two neutrons and one proton
BAdding a neutron and losing a proton
CAdding a proton and losing a neutron
DAdding two protons and one neutron
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Adding a neutron and losing a proton
1. Nitrogen-14 has seven protons and seven neutrons.
2. Carbon-14 has six protons and eight neutrons, so one proton must become a neutron.
3. Carbon-14 is a naturally occurring radioisotope created in the atmosphere from atmospheric nitrogen-14 by the addition of a neutron and the loss of a proton because of cosmic rays.
4. Cosmic rays supply the energy for that conversion.
_Source: OpenStax Biology for AP(R) Courses (CC BY 4.0), Ch 2 'The Chemical Foundation of Life', sections 2.1-2.3_
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