carbon 14

American  

Also carbon-14

noun

1. radiocarbon.

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carbon 14 Scientific  

1. A naturally occurring radioactive isotope of carbon having six protons and eight neutrons in the nucleus. Carbon 14 is important in dating archaeological and biological remains by radiocarbon dating.

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carbon 14 Cultural  

1. A radioactive isotope of carbon. A carbon 14 atom contains six protons, six electrons, and eight neutrons. Carbon 14 is produced when neutrons bombard atoms of nitrogen.

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Discover More

Carbon 14 is used in a common form of radioactive dating to determine the age of ancient objects.

Etymology

Origin of carbon 14

First recorded in 1935–40

Compare meaning

How does carbon-14 compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• carbon 12 vs. carbon 14

Example Sentences

Trees with unusual spikes in carbon 14 can also indicate a Miyake event.

From Scientific American

Her goal was to measure the amount of carbon 14—a radioactive isotope of carbon commonly used to date archaeological artifacts.

From Scientific American

Only a fleeting fraction is radioactive carbon 14, also called radiocarbon.

From Seattle Times

Studying carbon 14 data in tree rings from this era, the team found another spike.

From Scientific American

All living things absorb carbon 14, a radioactive carbon isotope that decays at a regular rate over time.

From Scientific American