Carbon-Dating-Unlocking-the-Past. presentation about this

Carbon-Dating-Unlocking-the-Past.

1. Carbon Dating: Unlocking the
Past
Discover how carbon dating reveals the age of ancient objects. This
technique helps us connect with history.
by prabin roy

2. The Basics: What is Carbon-
14?
Carbon-14 Explained
A radioactive isotope of
carbon present in all living
things.
Formation
Created in the atmosphere
from cosmic ray
interactions.
Incorporation
Absorbed into plants and animals during life processes.

3. How Carbon Dating Works:
Decay and Half-Life
1Radioactive Decay
Carbon-14 decays at a
constant rate after an
organism dies.
2Half-Life
The half-life is about 5,730
years, measuring decay
progress.
3Age Estimation
Remaining carbon indicates how long ago death occurred.

4. Sample Collection and
Preparation
Careful Excavation
Prevent contamination by using sterile tools and protocols.
Sample Cleaning
Remove dirt and preservatives that could affect results.
Carbon Extraction
Extract carbon content for precise radiocarbon
measurement.

5. Dating Range and Limitations
Effective Range
Best for samples up to 50,000 years old.
Limitations
Not accurate for very recent or extremely old
samples
Requires organic material
Contamination affects results

6. Sources of Error and Calibration
1
2
3
Sample Contamination
Modern carbon introduction
skews age estimates.
Atmospheric Variations
Carbon-14 levels change over time,
requiring calibration.
Calibration Methods
Use tree rings and other records to
adjust results.

7. Applications: Archaeology,
Geology, and Beyond
Archaeology
Date ancient human
settlements and
artifacts.
Geology
Determine ages of
organic deposits and
sediments.
Environmental
Science
Track changes in
climate via dated
plant samples.

8. The Future of Radiocarbon
Dating
1
Improved Sensitivity
New tech detects smaller samples and older ages.
2
Faster Processing
Automation speeds up data collection and analysis.
3
Broader Applications
Expanding use in forensic science and climate studies.