At its most basic level, carbon dating is the method of determining the age of organic material by measuring the levels of carbon found in it. The C-12 is a very stable element and will not change form after being absorbed; however, C-14 is highly unstable and in fact will immediately begin changing after absorption.

Is carbon dating a theory or fact?

Carbon dating is used now for almost everything old that people want to date. It is taken as fact and used as evidence to gather information on the world and past civilizations. However, Carbon dating is at best a good theory, and that is all it is, a theory.

Why is carbon good for dating?

Over time, carbon-14 decays in predictable ways. And with the help of radiocarbon dating, researchers can use that decay as a kind of clock that allows them to peer into the past and determine absolute dates for everything from wood to food, pollen, poop, and even dead animals and humans.