Carbon isotopes are variations of the carbon atom that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. The most common isotopes are Carbon-12 (12C) and Carbon-14 (14C). While 12C is stable and makes up about 99% of carbon found in nature, 14C is radioactive and is used in radiocarbon dating to determine the age of ancient organic materials. These isotopes play a crucial role in various scientific fields, including geology, archaeology, and environmental science. By analyzing the ratios of carbon isotopes in samples, researchers can gain insights into past climates, biological processes, and the age of artifacts.