Chapter U1.15, Problem 10E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Comprehend the age of the ship if scientist determine that the wooden beams of a sunken ship have 67% of the concentration of carbon-14 that is found in the leaves of tree alive today. Explain three possible source of error in the determination.

Concept introduction:

Radiocarbon dating or carbon dating can be defined as the process that is used to determine the age of any object which contains organic compounds.

The age of object is determined on the basis of presence of amount of radioactive isotope of carbon element. The radioactive isotope of carbon is C-14 which decay with time and shows radioactive properties.

Answer to Problem 10E

Age of ship = 1891 years

Explanation of Solution

Given information: Concentration C-14 = 67 %

Half-life of C-14 = 5730 years

The concentration of C-14 in sunken beam = 67 %

Thus the concentration of decay C-14 = 100 − 67 = 33 %

Calculate the age of ship:

$\text{Age of ship = }\frac{\text{33}}{\text{100}}\text{×5730years = 1891 years}$

Three possible errors in the determination of age of ship:

• The objects which contain wood also have Carbon and must be include in the given percentage of C-14.
• The living organisms if any on ship also contains carbon therefore it must be include in the given percentage of C-14.
• The living plants which are found in sunken ship might be grown after long time therefore the percentage of C in living leaves will add error in the age of ship.