WordNet-Online
Free dictionary and thesaurus of English. Definitions, synonyms, antonyms and more...
Hint: double-click any word to get it searched!

	Enter your search terms Submit search form
	Web www.wordnet-online.com

Definitions from WordNet

Definitions from the Web

Carbon-14 Dating

Description

Carbon-14 dating is a scientific method used to determine the age of ancient artifacts and fossils. It is based on the decay rate of carbon-14, a radioactive isotope of carbon, which is present in all living organisms but decays over time. This technique is particularly useful for dating materials up to about 50,000 years old.

Sample Sentences

Noun - Scientific usage:

1. Carbon-14 dating has revealed that the ancient pottery is approximately 5,000 years old.
2. The accuracy of carbon-14 dating depends on the assumption that the ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 in the atmosphere has remained constant over time.

Noun - Popular usage:

1. Scientists used carbon-14 dating to determine the age of the dinosaur bones.
2. Carbon-14 dating can help archaeologists establish a chronology of ancient civilizations.

Verb - Scientific and Popular usage:

1. The researchers carbon-14 dated the ancient wood to determine its age.
2. We need to carbon-14 date the samples from the site to understand its historical significance.

Related Products

You can find related products on Amazon:

• Books on Carbon-14 Dating
• Archaeology Tools
• Anthropology Textbooks