Radiocarbon dating is only effective in dating objects that are less than 50,000 years old. In the video, scholars learn how Carbon-14 differs from Carbon-12 and Carbon-13. The instructor then explains how Carbon-14 is made and how it used to measure the age of materials found on Earth.

Concepts

carbon dating, half lives, carbon

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

science

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Video best fits when discussing fossils and their ages

Classroom Considerations

• Video assumes pupils understand atoms and their parts
• Fascinating analysis of C-14 in our atmosphere after 1950s in northern versus southern hemisphere

Pros

• Video uses high-quality diagrams and photographs to increase engagement
• Provides closed captioning, which is a great way to help viewers follow along

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.9-10.1