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Comparative Essay

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Submitted By ahorner23
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Angela Maguire
Prof. David Gilhousen
PHSC 210- Elements of Earth Science
July 24, 2015
Radiocarbon Dating: Faith of Fact

Introduction
Archeologist and other scientists have used many different dating methods to establish the age of the earth and things on the earth. One of the dating methods that has been used is radiocarbon dating, also known as Carbon-14 dating. Radiocarbon dating is a prejudiced method that can be used to prove the desired outcome. Like many other methods, radiocarbon dating is inconsistent and constantly changing. The root of a scientist’s belief must come from a more stable foundation. Although, Old-earth and young-earth scientists agree on carbon-14 half-life, the scientists differ in areas such as finding C-14 in rocks and diamonds.
To begin, we must first describe the process of radiocarbon dating. The half-life of Carbon-14 has been measured at 5,730 years. Therefore, the assumption has been made that radiocarbon dating is only valid to be used on objects older than 100,000 years. Morris (2011,63) describes the process in this way, “Carbon-14 is formed when nitrogen -14 interacts with a cosmic ray-produced neutron in the upper atmosphere”. This new isotope is only a small part of the total carbon. Within the isotope there is a ratio of Carbon-12, a stable carbon, to Carbon-14, a non-stable carbon. The isotope is incorporated into carbon dioxide, which is then breathed in by all living organisms. When living organisms are alive, the radiocarbon that is dying of is constantly being replaced. However, when the organism dies, the Carbon-14 decreases and begins changing back into Nitrogen-14 (Lutgens, 2014, 286). From here the ratio of C-12 to C-14 can be measured as the C-14 is decreasing. Christopher Weber (1982) suggests, “If we measure the rate of beta decay in an organic sample, we can calculate how old the sample is. C-14 decays with a half-life of 5,730 years.” Both young-earth and old-earth believers would agree that radiocarbon dating can only be used on organic organisms, but the agreement essentially ends there.

Old-Earth Secular View
In 1947, a man by the name of William F. Libby proposed this idea of radiocarbon dating. Libby was the first to discover that when plants absorb carbon dioxide they were also absorbing small amounts of carbon-14. However, when the plant died, it no longer absorbed the carbon and carbon-14 began to decay. He worked to perfect his discovery for 12 years, hopeful that it would defend his old-earth beliefs (William Libby, 2014, pp.1). In order for Libby’s discoveries to work, he had to base them on assumptions. One assumption Libby proposed was that the ration of C-12 to C-14 was constant. Without a constant ratio the beginning amount of C-14 would be unknown (Riddle, 2007, pp.18). A constant ratio would mean the earth was at equilibrium already. In order for the earth to reach a state of equilibrium, it would take at least 30,000 years. The assumption that the earth was at equilibrium has already been disproved. This put Libby in a difficult place as this gave the earth a younger date. He eventually just stated that there was an error. With errors arising and the old-earth theories not being supported, scientists began dismissing radiocarbon dating as an accurate dating method. Young-earth believers began more research, assuming that if radiocarbon dating did not support the old-earth ideas, perhaps it would support the young-earth methods.
Young-Earth View
For the young-earth believer, this foundation of belief is found in God’s Word. The Radiocarbon dating method can be used to support the beliefs held in God’s Word. As young-earth scientists began their research, they discovered radiocarbon dating to be an effective method. Believing the earth to only be about 6,000 years old, the radiocarbon dating method would be effective for their timeline (Hodge, 2009, pp.1). A Group called RATE group (Radioisotopes and the Age of The Earth) began doing research on data and methods that had been ignored by the old-earth scientists. As they began their research, they found carbon-14 in places no one thought they would find them (Riddle, 2007, pp. 28). Carbon-14 came up in tree-rings, coal, fossils, and diamonds. The coal that contained C-14 had previously been dated at 50-300 million years old (Morris, 2011, pg.66). If there were still traces of C-14 there is no way it was older than a few thousand years. Even with standing disagreements, the old-earth and young-earth scientists found similarities to some degree.
Comparison of the Viewpoints Old-earth and young-earth scientists have both agreed that radiocarbon dating can only be used on organic substances or carbon based substances. The other agreement is on the half-life of carbon-14. It has been concluded that the half-life is only 5, 730 years. With those numbers set is also agreed upon that carbon dating is only valuable on research on organisms that date within 100,0000 years (Morris, 2011, 63). With these agreements set in place, the old-earth and young-earth scientists go their separate ways.
Contrast of the Viewpoints
One disagreement that remains is the finding of C-14 in old rock formations. According to old-earth beliefs all C-14 should be dead within the carbon-bearing rocks. As young-earth researchers looked into these old rocks they discovered C-14 present. They believe this to prove the earth is younger than believed. However, old-earth scientists are just chalking it up to error (Morris, 2011, p. 66). Another disagreement came up when C-14 was discovered in diamonds. Riddle (2007) writes, “Secular scientists have estimated the ages of diamonds to be millions to billions of years old using other radiometric dating methods.” If the diamonds were this old, how could they still contain C-14? Young-earth scientists believe that the earth isn’t that old and that the diamonds containing C-14 is another evidence of its young age.
Conclusion
As young-earth and old-earth scientists disagree and agree on assumptions, the truth holds that radiocarbon dating can be used as a biased dating method. As most dating methods and theories go, there must be a faith behind the belief, no matter what that belief is. Although, Old-earth and young-earth scientists agree on carbon-14 half-life, the scientists differ in areas such as finding C-14 in rocks and diamonds. Radiocarbon dating is still undergoing changes and assumptions are continually being evaluated. Young-earth believers need to hold true to God’s Word, as it is infallible.

References
Hodge, B. (2007, May 30). How Old Is the Earth? Retrieved July 24, 2015, from https://answersingenesis.org/age-of-the-earth/how-old-is-the-earth/

Lutgens, F., & Tarbuck, E. (2014). Foundations of earth science (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Morris, J. (2007). The young Earth: The real history of the Earth, past, present, and future (Rev. and expanded ed.). Green Forest, AR: Master Books.

Riddle, M. (2007, September 20). Doesn't Carbon-14 Dating Disprove the Bible? Retrieved July 24, 2015, from https://answersingenesis.org/geology/carbon-14/doesnt-carbon-14-dating-disprove-the-bible/

Weber, C. (1982). Answers to Creationist Attacks on Carbon-14 Dating | NCSE. Retrieved July 27, 2015, from http://ncse.com/cej/3/2/answers-to-creationist-attacks-carbon-14-dating

Willard Libby, Radiocarbon, and Carbon Dating. (edited 2014, November 13). Retrieved July 24, 2015, from http://www.osti.gov/accomplishments/libby.html

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