Title: CU1M3 Lab Part 2 Answer Key
Course: SkillsCom GS 106 14.0 > Section: Credit Unit 1 Module 3

12) Why are both of the ages of the trees zero, even though they are clearly different ages? What would happen to their age if the trees died?

Answer: Because the trees are still living the trees are still accumulating C14 and so a correct age could not be collected because C14 accumulation is still in flux. Once an organism dies it will no longer incorporate C14 into its tissues and can then be dated appropriately as the C14 that is left will begin its natural decay. If these trees died we would begin to see the decay of C14 and thus their age would begin increasing.

Question CU1 M3 # 12 | Student correctly describes why the trees are aged zero and also correctly identifies what would happen to their age if the trees died. 4 pts | Student correctly identifies both why the trees are aged zero and what would happen to the trees age if they were to die but does not correctly describe why one would see these changes 3 pts | Student correctly identifies both why the trees are aged zero and what would happen to the trees age if they were to die but does not describe why one would see those changes. 2 pts | Student correctly identifies either why the trees are aged zero or what would happen to the trees age if they were to die but does not describe why one would see either change. 1 pt | Insufficient 0 pt