Question:
Choose the material on which \(^{14}C\) dating technique can be correctly applied.
Choose the material on which \(^{14}C\) dating technique can be correctly applied.
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Carbon dating can only be applied to organic material. It cannot be used for ancient inorganic substances like diamonds or graphite.
Updated On: Jun 1, 2026
- Charred food grains from the Indus Valley civilization
- Organic matter in carbonaceous chondrites
- Diamonds from the Earth's interior
- Graphite from Proterozoic sedimentary basins
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding \(^{14}C\) dating.
Carbon dating (\(^{14}C\)) is a method used to determine the age of organic materials by measuring the amount of \(^{14}C\) remaining in the sample. This technique works effectively for materials that once contained carbon and are up to about 50,000 years old.
Step 2: Analyzing the material types.
The carbon in organic materials such as plants, animals, and certain carbonates can be used for \(^{14}C\) dating. Materials that do not have carbon, like diamonds or graphite, are not suitable for this method.
Step 3: Analyzing Charred food grains.
Charred food grains from ancient civilizations, like those from the Indus Valley, are rich in organic carbon and can be dated effectively with \(^{14}C\), as they contain carbon-based material that was alive and can be traced back in time.
Step 4: Analyzing Organic matter in carbonaceous chondrites.
While carbonaceous chondrites are meteorites that contain organic matter, their age often exceeds the maximum effective range for \(^{14}C\) dating (about 50,000 years). Thus, this material is not ideal for carbon dating.
Step 5: Analyzing Diamonds.
Diamonds are formed deep within the Earth's interior, where any original carbon material would have long since decayed. Therefore, diamonds cannot be dated using \(^{14}C\).
Step 6: Analyzing Graphite.
Graphite from Proterozoic sedimentary basins is ancient and does not contain usable carbon for \(^{14}C\) dating, making it unsuitable for this technique.
Step 7: Conclusion.
Charred food grains from ancient human settlements are the correct material for applying \(^{14}C\) dating.
\[ \boxed{\text{Charred food grains from the Indus Valley civilization}} \]
Carbon dating (\(^{14}C\)) is a method used to determine the age of organic materials by measuring the amount of \(^{14}C\) remaining in the sample. This technique works effectively for materials that once contained carbon and are up to about 50,000 years old.
Step 2: Analyzing the material types.
The carbon in organic materials such as plants, animals, and certain carbonates can be used for \(^{14}C\) dating. Materials that do not have carbon, like diamonds or graphite, are not suitable for this method.
Step 3: Analyzing Charred food grains.
Charred food grains from ancient civilizations, like those from the Indus Valley, are rich in organic carbon and can be dated effectively with \(^{14}C\), as they contain carbon-based material that was alive and can be traced back in time.
Step 4: Analyzing Organic matter in carbonaceous chondrites.
While carbonaceous chondrites are meteorites that contain organic matter, their age often exceeds the maximum effective range for \(^{14}C\) dating (about 50,000 years). Thus, this material is not ideal for carbon dating.
Step 5: Analyzing Diamonds.
Diamonds are formed deep within the Earth's interior, where any original carbon material would have long since decayed. Therefore, diamonds cannot be dated using \(^{14}C\).
Step 6: Analyzing Graphite.
Graphite from Proterozoic sedimentary basins is ancient and does not contain usable carbon for \(^{14}C\) dating, making it unsuitable for this technique.
Step 7: Conclusion.
Charred food grains from ancient human settlements are the correct material for applying \(^{14}C\) dating.
\[ \boxed{\text{Charred food grains from the Indus Valley civilization}} \]
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