Scientists have recently shown that a sample of cocaine can be traced to its country of origin by measuring the ratio of carbon-13 to nitrogen-15 (both naturally occurring, stable nuclides) in the cocaine sample. Carbon-14 and nitrogen-16, however, do not occur naturally and both of these nuclides undergo radioactive decay by the same process. Which type of radioactive decay is the most likely for carbon-14 and nitrogen-16?

General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry
7th Edition
ISBN:9781285853918
Author:H. Stephen Stoker
Publisher:H. Stephen Stoker
Chapter11: Nuclear Chemistry
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Scientists have recently shown that a sample of cocaine can be traced to its country of origin
by measuring the ratio of carbon-13 to nitrogen-15 (both naturally occurring, stable nuclides)
in the cocaine sample. Carbon-14 and nitrogen-16, however, do not occur naturally and both
of these nuclides undergo radioactive decay by the same process. Which type of radioactive
decay is the most likely for carbon-14 and nitrogen-16?
Transcribed Image Text:Scientists have recently shown that a sample of cocaine can be traced to its country of origin by measuring the ratio of carbon-13 to nitrogen-15 (both naturally occurring, stable nuclides) in the cocaine sample. Carbon-14 and nitrogen-16, however, do not occur naturally and both of these nuclides undergo radioactive decay by the same process. Which type of radioactive decay is the most likely for carbon-14 and nitrogen-16?
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