Definition

Noun: A scientific method for determining the approximate age of an organic object by measuring the amount of the radioactive isotope carbon-14 remaining in it. This technique is based on the predictable decay rate of carbon-14 and is considered reliable for dating materials up to about 40,000 years old.

Usage

This term is used specifically in scientific contexts, particularly in archaeology, geology, and paleontology, to discuss the age of ancient organic remains.

Examples

• The carbon-14 dating of the wooden tool placed it at over 10,000 years old.
• Researchers used carbon-14 dating to establish the timeline of the prehistoric settlement.
• The reliability of carbon-14 dating depends on the preservation of the sample.

Advanced Usage

• "to subject something to carbon-14 dating": To perform this analysis on an object.
  • The shroud was subjected to carbon-14 dating by three independent laboratories.
• "carbon-14 dating results/technique": Common collocations describing the outcome or the method itself.
  • The new carbon-14 dating results challenged previous historical assumptions.

Variants and Related Words

• Radiocarbon dating: The most common synonym for carbon-14 dating.
• Carbon dating: A common, informal shortening of the term.
• Dendrochronology: A related dating method using tree-ring patterns, often used to calibrate carbon-14 dating results.

Synonyms

• Radiocarbon dating
• Carbon dating

Related Phrases

• Half-life of carbon-14: Refers to the 5,730-year period it takes for half of the carbon-14 in a sample to decay, which is the fundamental principle behind this dating method.
• Calibrated date: A date from carbon-14 dating that has been adjusted using other chronological data (like dendrochronology) for greater accuracy.

Noun

1. a chemical analysis used to determine the age of organic materials based on their content of the radioisotope carbon-14; believed to be reliable up to 40,000 years