Carbon-14 dating, also known as radiocarbon dating, is a widely used method for determining the age of ancient organic materials. It measures the amount of carbon-14, a radioactive isotope, remaining in a sample. Carbon-14 is formed in the atmosphere and taken up by living organisms. When an organism dies, it stops absorbing carbon-14, and the isotope begins to decay at a known rate, with a half-life of about 5,730 years.
While carbon-14 dating is effective for dating materials up to about 50,000 years old, its accuracy diminishes for older samples due to the decreasing concentration of carbon-14 over time. Factors such as contamination, variations in atmospheric carbon levels over time, and the initial carbon ratio can also affect accuracy.
Other radioactive dating methods, such as potassium-argon and uranium-lead dating, are used for much older geological samples. These methods have their own accuracy ranges and limitations. For instance, potassium-argon dating is suitable for dating rocks older than 100,000 years, but requires specific conditions to avoid errors.
In summary, while carbon-14 and other radioactive dating methods are generally reliable, their accuracy depends on the specific circumstances of each sample, the age of the material, and the method employed. As long as these factors are carefully considered, these dating methods can provide a valuable window into the past.