Carbon-14

Name:
Carbon-14
Detailed information:
(¹⁴C; radiocarbon). Naturally occurring, radioactive carbon isotope of mass number 14, a special case of radioactivity induced by cosmic rays in the upper atmosphere. Neutrons produced by cosmic radiation impact nitrogen atoms to yield ¹⁴C and a proton. Half-life 5580 years; β-radiation. Can be made by reactor irradiation of calcium nitrate.

Use:

Radiation source in thickness gauges and other instruments, elucidation of mechanisms in organic chemistry, metallurgy, and biochemical reactions, radiocarbon dating in geology and archaeometry.

See Chemical Dating; Archaometry.