radiokarbonmérések

Radiokarbonmérések, also known as carbon-14 dating, is a method used to determine the age of organic materials. It relies on the radioactive isotope of carbon, carbon-14 (¹⁴C), which is naturally present in the atmosphere. Living organisms absorb carbon from their environment, including ¹⁴C, maintaining a constant ratio of ¹⁴C to stable carbon isotopes. When an organism dies, it stops absorbing carbon, and the ¹⁴C within its remains begins to decay at a known rate.

The half-life of ¹⁴C is approximately 5,730 years. This means that after 5,730 years, half of the original ¹⁴C will have decayed. By measuring the amount of ¹⁴C remaining in a sample and comparing it to the amount expected in a living organism, scientists can calculate how long ago the organism died. This technique is particularly useful for dating materials that are between a few hundred and tens of thousands of years old.

Radiokarbonmérések has applications in various fields, including archaeology, paleontology, and geology. It has been instrumental in establishing chronologies for ancient civilizations, understanding past environments, and studying the evolution of life on Earth. However, the method has limitations. Contamination of samples with more recent or older carbon can affect the accuracy of the dating. Furthermore, the atmospheric concentration of ¹⁴C has varied over time, necessitating calibration curves to correct for these fluctuations. Despite these challenges, radiokarbonmérések remains a fundamental tool for chronological studies of the past.