The Radioactivity Due to Carbon-14 Measured in a Piece of a Wooden

question 90

Multiple Choice

The radioactivity due to carbon-14 measured in a piece of a wooden casket from an ancient burial site is found to produce 20 counts per minute from a given sample,whereas the same amount of carbon from a piece of living wood produces 160 counts per minute.The half-life of carbon-14,a beta-minus emitter,is 5730 years.What would we calculate for the age of the artifact,assuming that the activity for living wood has remained constant over time?

• A)5,700 years
• B)11,500 years
• C)14,800 years
• D)17,200 years
• E)23,000 years

---

Definitions:

Nagging

Persistently annoying or finding fault with someone, often to persuade them to do something.

Clean Room

A controlled environment with a low level of pollutants such as dust, airborne microbes, aerosol particles, and chemical vapors, used in scientific research and manufacturing.

Primary Reinforcers

Stimuli that satisfy basic biological needs and are inherently rewarding.

Food

Substances consumed to provide nutritional support for an organism, typically consisting of essential nutrients.