Chapter 19, Problem 70AE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Carbon- $14$ activity, in terms of counts per minute per gram, of living wood is given. The possibility of this painting being of the dark period is to be commented upon.

Concept introduction: A process through which is unstable nuclide loses its energy due to excess of protons or neutrons is known as radioactive decay. The cause of instability of a nuclide is its inefficiency in holding the nucleus together. Carbon- $14$ dating is an important tool in calculating the age of ancient materials.

To determine: The age of the given painting.