Question

Which isotope is used to date ancient artifacts such as fossils?

Answer 1

Scientists use carbon-14 to date ancient fossils.

Plants and animals absorb carbon-14 produced by cosmic rays. The ratio of C-14 to C-12 is constant when they are alive.

When they die, the C-14 decays to C-12, and the ratio changes.

Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5730 years. Thus, the object loses half its C-14 every 5730 years.

Scientists can use the C-14 to C-12 ratio to date fossils up to 70 000 years old.