p14C

p14C is a designation encountered in various fields, and its meaning is not standardized. In chemistry and physics, the symbol 14C denotes carbon-14, the radioactive isotope of carbon. The prefix or letter “p” is not part of the official isotope notation, so p14C typically appears only as an informal label within specific contexts, such as internal project codes, dataset identifiers, or literature shorthand. Because of this, the exact meaning of p14C can vary depending on the source.

The most widely known association involves radiocarbon dating. Carbon-14 is produced in the upper atmosphere by cosmic rays and is incorporated into living organisms. After death, 14C decays with a half-life of about 5,730 years, allowing dating of organic materials over roughly the last 50,000 years. Measurements of 14C activity are compared with past atmospheric levels and calibrated to calendar years using established calibration curves (such as the IntCal series). The result is typically reported as a radiocarbon age or, after calibration, as a calendar-year age.

Other uses of the string “p14C” may appear as internal codes or accession identifiers in databases, laboratory inventories, or publications. These uses do not imply a chemical or nuclear meaning and should be interpreted within their specific domain. In genetics or virology, separate designations such as p14 or related names exist for proteins, but p14C is not a standard protein or gene name.