Radiocarbon dating, or carbon dating, is a widely used technique to estimate the age of archaeological and historical samples. This dating method is based on the predictable decay rate of the carbon-14 isotope (C-14), a rare, radioactive carbon isotope present in living organisms. By measuring the remaining C-14 in an artifact or sample, scientists can calculate how long it has been since the organism's death.
Carbon-14 is a naturally occurring isotope formed in the Earth's atmosphere through cosmic ray interactions with nitrogen-14. Once formed, carbon-14 combines with oxygen to create carbon dioxide, which is then absorbed by living organisms during respiration. As long as an organism is alive, it continues to absorb C-14. However, upon death, the intake stops, and the isotope begins to decay at a predictable rate, known as its half-life.
The process of radiocarbon dating calculates the age of organic material based on how much C-14 remains in a sample. The half-life of C-14 is approximately 5,730 years, meaning half of its atoms decay every 5,730 years. By comparing the ratio of C-14 to C-12 in a sample with the ratio present in the atmosphere, researchers estimate the sample’s age.
Our calculator uses the following radiocarbon dating formula to determine the sample’s age:
Age = (Half-life / ln(2)) * ln(Initial C14 / Current C14)
Where:
To use the calculator, simply input the initial and current amounts of C-14:
Assume an initial C-14 content of 100 and a current C-14 content of 25. Using the formula, we calculate:
Age = (5730 / ln(2)) * ln(100 / 25)
This yields an estimated age of approximately 11,460 years.
While radiocarbon dating is a powerful tool, it has some limitations:
Radiocarbon dating is essential across several fields:
Understanding radiocarbon dating involves knowledge of some key terms:
To enhance accuracy in radiocarbon dating:
Understanding radiocarbon results requires attention to calibration data and error margins. Labs often provide ranges to account for potential measurement error, so an age might be given as “5,000 ± 50 years,” indicating a 50-year uncertainty margin. This can result from sample quality, preservation, or other environmental influences.
The Radiocarbon Dating Calculator offers a quick and efficient way to estimate the age of ancient artifacts or organic materials based on remaining carbon-14 levels. As one of the most widely used dating techniques in archaeology and geology, radiocarbon dating provides valuable insights into historical timelines and environmental changes.
Use our calculator today to explore the age of your sample, and deepen your understanding of historical and natural processes!