A nucleus is shown with protons and neutrons. proton neutonCarbon dating of small bits of...

A nucleus is shown with protons and neutrons.

proton

neuton

Carbon dating of small bits of charcoal used in cave paintings has determined that some of the paintings are from 10 000 to 30 000 y old. Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5730 y. In a 1 μg-sample of carbon from a live tree, the activity of carbon-14 is 6.4 μCi. If researchers determine that 1 μg of charcoal from a prehistoric cave painting in France has an activity of 0.80 μCi, what is the age of the painting?

The technique of carbon dating is used to determine the age of ancient cave paintings.