Racemization

Racemization is the process by which a molecule gradually converts from one-handed form to its mirror-image form, like a left glove slowly transforming into a right glove. This happens naturally over time when molecules have asymmetrical structures, and the change can be sped up by heat, moisture, or chemical reactions. Scientists use racemization to date fossils and archaeological artifacts because the predictable rate of this molecular transformation acts like a biological clock, telling us how old organic materials are.