What is the specific application of carbon-14 dating?

Carbon-14 dating is a radiometric dating method specifically used to determine the age of organic materials. It is based on the decay of carbon-14, a radioactive isotope of carbon that is absorbed by living organisms during their lifetime through carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Once the organism dies, it stops taking in carbon, and the carbon-14 it contains begins to decay at a known rate (its half-life is about 5,730 years).

Thus, this method is particularly effective for dating organic remains such as wood, bones, and shells, which allows researchers to understand the timeline of past life forms and human activity. This technique is not applicable to inorganic materials, volcanic rock, or metal artifacts, making the distinction clear regarding its specific use for organic substances. Carbon-14 dating is invaluable in fields like archaeology, geology, and paleontology for providing insights into the history of life on Earth.