Stuff You Should Know How Carbon-14 Dating Works
Nov 26, 2019
Did you know some of the carbon dioxide in your body is radioactive? It might help future archaeologists figure out when you were around! Discover the fascinating world of carbon-14 dating and its role in archaeology. Learn about the history and evolution of this dating method, and how it's revolutionized our understanding of ancient timelines. The hosts blend humor and science, making complex concepts accessible and engaging. Plus, hear about the quirky impacts of environmental factors on dating accuracy!
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Carbon-14 Dating Basics
- Carbon-14 dating helps determine the age of organic materials.
- It reveals when the object was last alive by measuring carbon-14 levels.
Carbon-14 Formation
- Carbon-14 forms when cosmic rays collide with atmospheric nitrogen-14.
- A high-energy neutron knocks off a proton, creating unstable carbon-14.
Radioactive Decay
- Carbon-14 is radioactive but not harmful.
- It decays back to nitrogen-14, and this decay is used for dating.