Radiokarbonisoinnissa

Radiokarbonisoinnissa refers to the process of carbon dating, a scientific method used to determine the age of organic materials. This technique relies on the presence of carbon-14 (¹⁴C), a radioactive isotope of carbon that is naturally present in the atmosphere. Living organisms continuously absorb carbon from their environment, including ¹⁴C. When an organism dies, it stops absorbing carbon, and the ¹⁴C within its remains begins to decay at a known rate.

The decay of ¹⁴C follows a predictable half-life of approximately 5,730 years. This means that after 5,730 years, half of the original ¹⁴C in a sample will have decayed. Scientists measure the remaining amount of ¹⁴C in an organic sample and compare it to the amount of stable carbon-12 (¹²C) to calculate how many half-lives have passed since the organism's death. This calculation provides an estimate of the sample's age.

Radiokarbonisoinnissa is widely used in archaeology, paleontology, and geology to date artifacts, fossils, and geological formations. The method is effective for dating materials up to around 50,000 years old. Beyond this range, the amount of remaining ¹⁴C becomes too small to measure accurately. Calibration curves are used to correct for variations in atmospheric ¹⁴C levels over time, improving the accuracy of the dating results. This technique has revolutionized our understanding of past environments and human history.