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

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  1. Today, 12:51
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    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.
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