`""^(14)C` disintegrates by the loss of a beta particle and has a half life period of 5670 years. The number of disintegrations per second per kilogram of freshly cut wood is 270 while that of an antique chair is 220.
(a) Calculate the disintegration constant of `""^(14)C`.
(b) Calculate the age of the chair.

Explanation

(a) `lambda=(0.693)/(t_(1//2))=(0.693)/(5760)=1.22xx10^(-4)"year"^(-1)`
(b) Age of the chair, `t=(2.303)/(lambda)log""(N_0)/(N)`
`=(2.303)/(0.000122)xxlog""(270)/(220)`
`=1679` years