The correct answer is: c) Organic materials (bones, charcoal, etc.).
Radiocarbon dating is a technique used to determine the age of carbon-bearing materials up to about 58,000 to 62,000 years old. It is based on the fact that radiocarbon (14C) is a radioactive isotope of carbon with a half-life of about 5,730 years. When an organism dies, it stops exchanging carbon with its environment and the amount of 14C in its remains begins to decrease at a known rate. By measuring the amount of 14C in a sample, scientists can determine how long ago the organism died.
Radiocarbon dating is most commonly used to date organic materials such as wood, bone, and charcoal. It can also be used to date other carbon-bearing materials such as soil, water, and ice. However, it cannot be used to date materials that do not contain carbon, such as stone, pottery, or metal.
Radiocarbon dating is a powerful tool for archaeologists and geologists. It can be used to date artifacts and fossils, and to track the movement of people and animals across the globe. It can also be used to date events such as volcanic eruptions and climate change.
Here is a brief explanation of each option:
- a) Stone tools: Stone tools are made from stone, which is a non-carbon-bearing material. Therefore, radiocarbon dating cannot be used to date stone tools.
- b) Pottery: Pottery is made from clay, which is a non-carbon-bearing material. Therefore, radiocarbon dating cannot be used to date pottery.
- c) Organic materials (bones, charcoal, etc.): Organic materials are made from carbon, which is a carbon-bearing material. Therefore, radiocarbon dating can be used to date organic materials.
- d) Megalithic structures: Megalithic structures are made from stone, which is a non-carbon-bearing material. Therefore, radiocarbon dating cannot be used to date megalithic structures.