Radio carbon dating analyzes the decay of carbon-14 to date organic artifacts, such as paintings. With a half-life of 5,730 years, the age of objects can be determined by measuring the remaining 14C content and comparing it to atmospheric levels.
The process to determine the age of paintings or any organic artifacts with the help of carbon-14 content is commonly known as radio carbon dating. Carbon-14, also abbreviated as 14C, is a radioactive isotope of carbon that decays over time. Scientists leverage the fact that 14C has a known half-life of approximately 5,730 years to estimate the age of artifacts. When an organism dies, it stops absorbing 14C, and the ratio of 14C to the more stable carbon-12 (12C) begins to decrease. By measuring the remaining 14C in a sample and comparing it to the current level in the atmosphere, the time that has elapsed since the death of the organism can be calculated.
For instance, if a painting or any organic material has only 23% of its original 14C content left, we can use the decay formula to calculate the number of half-lives that have passed, thereby determining the age of the artifact. This technique has proven essential in archaeology, geology, and other fields related to the study of past events and is typically used for artifacts up to about 50,000 years old.