Is Carbon Dating always accurate?

Question

When making dates on historic finds such as:

Dinosaur bones, artifacts,etc?

Answer 1

Radio carbon dating measures the ration of Carbon 14 to Carbon 16.  This decays at a known rate and is accurate within a range if uncontaminated.  The problem is that contamination from a number of sources is possible.  Intrusions of carbon can enter because of geological processes, if the item was burned, or from human mishandling.  Radio carbon dating is also only used for items back to about 50,000 years.  Items older than this use a range of other dating methods.  Potassium-Argon dating is one used to date things much older.  Look on wikipedia for absolute dating methods or check out an introductory archaeology book for more specifics.

Answer 2

Speed dating is probably more exciting.

Answer 3

It's my understanding, that it's as accurate a test as we have at present.

Answer 4

All good answers but I liked Robert S's answer which is probably on point to your question.

Yes there can be contamination of the subject piece when carbon dating but there are corrections available and additional testing to allow for this possibility and the labs that do the testing know them all.

Creationists will try to use the contamination of C 14 issue to disprove evolution of objects in hopes to support the ridiculous fantasy that the earth is not 4.5 billion years old.

The problem with this futile attempt is that if they were correct, and they most definitely are not, then the object with contamination problems would actually be older than the test reveals.

Again, this scientific misconception by thumpers, much like their misuse of the 2nd law of thermodynamics to ping evolution, actually defeats their purpose which is to deny science and support religious fantasy.

C14 is testable and delivers an accurate dating to about 60,000 years ago. Other dating methods will be used to date objects such as Potassium/Argon already mentioned or Uranium/Lead. The oldest rock on earth, so far discovered is over 4 billion years old, maybe 4.3.

Jim D

Answer 5

Carbon Dating Methods are fairly accurate but are not firm. The can be misleading. They are however our most accurate means of dating artifacts.

Answer 6

Yes, it's accurate.

At least more accurate than blind dating.

You think your friends know you . . . .

Answer 7

That depends on if you ask a scientist or a theologian.

Answer 8

TJB is correct, the result of any test is dependent upon the person(s) conducting the tests. Contamination is the problem when conducting any test & therefore several different teams often do the testing to ensure accuracy & eliminate errors. Different dating methods that show slightly different results based upon different parameters are often used to rule out contamination that would show in one test, but not the other. When large disparities are found, then contamination is suspected & the tests are rerun.

Yes, Carbon Dating is always accurate within certain parameters if conducted properly.