Answer: Age of ancient organic materials.
- A Temperature of ancient samples
- B Age of ancient organic materials
- C Chemical composition
- D Magnetic field of ancient objects
Correct answer: B. Age of ancient organic materials
Explanation: C-14 has T(1/2) = 5730 years. Living organisms absorb C-14; after death it decays. Ratio of C-14/C-12 gives age.
Binding energy per nucleon rises sharply for light nuclei, peaks around iron-56 (the most stable nucleus), then slowly declines for heavier nuclei - which is exactly why fusing light nuclei or splitting heavy nuclei both release energy: each moves the products toward this stability peak.
Concept context
Radioactivity, nuclear reactions, fission, fusion, and binding energy.