This article discusses the use of carbon dating to determine the age of artifacts, objects, and fossils. Carbon dating is the process in which an object the carbon 14 isotope decays without being replaced. Carbon 14 has a half-life of about 5,730 years. Scientists burn a small piece of the artifact to produce Carbon dioxide. From produced carbon dioxide, one can determine how much carbon 14 has decayed, therefore dating the artifact. This chemical method is used in so many different fields such as geology and archeology.
http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/Radiography/Physics/carbondating.htm
Posted by Alyssa Swanson
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WOW! A half life of 5,730 years!!! That's crazy Alyssa! Fantastic Article! It's amazing to see what these archeologists can do with such a common element!
ReplyDeleteJoe Katich