New York Times technology columnist David Pogue explores how carbon isotopes can be used to determine the age of once-living matter.
The video is from NOVA: Hunting the Elements.
Structure and features
View this video to learn how variations in atomic structure form isotopes of an element and how the three natural isotopes of carbon differ from each other.
Find out what it means for an isotope to be radioactive and how the half-life of carbon-14 allows scientists to date organic materials and changes in the climate.
Teacher notes
- Science as a human endeavour strand
- Chemical sciences
- Year 9
- Atoms.
Video on how scientists use carbon dating.
Radioactive decay of isotopes.
How do scientists use science knowledge to make informed decisions about changes in the environment? For example using carbon-14 for dating organic materials and changes in the climate.
