Radiocarbon dating is a method that is used to estimate the age of carbon-bearing materials up to about 58,000 to 62,000 years old. It is based on the fact that radiocarbon (14C) is a radioactive isotope of carbon that is naturally present in the atmosphere. When plants and animals die, they stop exchanging carbon with the atmosphere and the amount of 14C in their remains begins to decrease at a known rate. By measuring the amount of 14C in a sample, scientists can estimate how long ago it died.
Radiocarbon dating is most commonly used to date organic materials such as wood, bone, and plant material. It can also be used to date some inorganic materials, such as charcoal and water. However, it is not suitable for dating materials that are too old or too young, or that have been contaminated with modern carbon.
The correct answer to the question “Radiocarbon dating technique is used to estimate the age of” is A. Fossils.
Fossils are the remains or traces of ancient organisms that have been preserved in the Earth’s crust. They can be used to study the evolution of life on Earth and to date geological events. Radiocarbon dating can be used to date fossils that are up to about 58,000 years old.
The other options are incorrect because they are not suitable for radiocarbon dating. Rocks are too old to be dated using radiocarbon dating. Monuments are often made of stone or other materials that do not contain carbon. Soil is a mixture of organic and inorganic materials, and the amount of 14C in soil can vary depending on the type of soil and the climate.