The most widely known form of radiometric dating is carbon-14 dating. This is what archaeologists use to determine the age of human-made artifacts. But carbon-14 dating wont work on dinosaur bones. Dinosaur bones, on the other hand, are millions of years old -- some fossils are billions of years old.

How is carbon dating used to determine the age of fossils?

The half-life of carbon-14 is 5,730 years, so carbon dating is only relevant for dating fossils less than 60,000 years old. Carbon dating uses the decay of carbon-14 to estimate the age of organic materials, such as wood and leather.

What element is used to date dinosaur bones?

Potassium-argon dating Fossils and other objects that accumulate between these eruptions lie between two different layers of volcanic ash and rock. An object can be given an approximate date by dating the volcanic layers occurring above and below the object.