Chapter 30, Problem 22Q

To determine

Can we use ${}_{\text{6}}{}^{\text{14}}\text{C}$ dating for measuring the age of stone walls and tablets of ancient civilization.

Answer to Problem 22Q

Solution:

The technique of ${}_{\text{6}}{}^{\text{14}}\text{C}$ dating cannot be used to measure the age of stone walls and tablets of ancient civilization.

Explanation of Solution

The ${}_{\text{6}}{}^{\text{14}}\text{C}$ dating method cannot be used to measure the age of stone walls and tablets of ancient civilization. Carbon ${}_{\text{6}}{}^{\text{14}}\text{C}$ dating is only useful for measuring the age of objects that were living at few thousands year older. However, carbon ${}_{\text{6}}{}^{\text{14}}\text{C}$ dating can be used to determining the age of objects less than about 60,000 years old. The stone from which the walls and tablets of ancient civilization were much older than 60,000 years. Hence method of ${}_{\text{6}}{}^{\text{14}}\text{C}$ dating cannot be used to measure the age of stone walls and tablets of ancient civilization.