Everything You Need to Know About Isotopes

Out of the hundreds of carbon dating explanations I've heard, this is the _first time_ anyone has answered a question I've always had: How do we date something if all Carbon-14 is continually decaying everywhere? And Neil's answer is simple in its two parts: 1) The environment continually makes more such that the ratio is relatively stable by replenishing the decayed atoms, and 2) Living things replenish their internal stock of carbon up until, obviously, they die. Thank you, Neil.

If I had had teachers this good I wouldn’t be here at my age finally learning something so basic. Thank you Neil!

What did you learn about Isotopes?

You should keep doing these types of episodes, fun, existing, informative. I wish my chemistry teacher was like you

I know I may not be smarter. But I always feel smarter after watching these videos. This is a good one.

Whoever's been editing your videos lately has been killing it. 👏🏻 Thanks for another great video, Neil and Chuck!

What a great explanation of isotopes of elements. Thank you.

That is why I love this show, such simple explanation how it actually works the whole carbon dating.

Freaking love you guys. Always excited to learn something new, and am never disappointed 😊

Just before the end of the year, I was teaching this at class: nuclear desintegration and reactions, and Carbon-14 dating is a great source of exercises. As usual, you've explained it gorgeously.