Radiocarbon Dating for Archaeology (3 Parts)

Synopsis: 1: Introdes radioactivity. An experiment using 56Mn shows how the decay of radioactive isotopes can be detected. Introduces the concept of half-life. Explains the theory behind radiocarbon measurements.
2: Shows the two main techniques used for counting carbon-14 samples: gas counting and liquid scintillation counting. Discusses the chemical processes involved in preparing a sample and follows a sample from its combustion to carbon dioxide to the counting in a liquid scintillation spectrometer.
3: Looks at the types and quantities of material needed for radiocarbon dating, explains what chemical treatments are used to remove contamination, and discusses how the result is presented. Includes explanation of the error term c13C and calibration of results.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. b&w. 26, 32, 23 min.
Year of production: 1976
Availability: Sale
Documentation: Accompanying worksheets.
Uses: 2nd-year courses in archaeology.*
Subjects: Archaeology
Keywords: radioactive decay; radiocarbon dating

Cast

G Brown
R L Otlet

Title: Basic principles
Synopsis: 1: Introdes radioactivity. An experiment using 56Mn shows how the decay of radioactive isotopes can be detected. Introduces the concept of half-life. Explains the theory behind radiocarbon measurements.
Title: Laboratory techniques1
Synopsis: 2: Shows the two main techniques used for counting carbon-14 samples: gas counting and liquid scintillation counting. Discusses the chemical processes involved in preparing a sample and follows a sample from its combustion to carbon dioxide to the countin
Title: Samples, pre-treatment and interpretation
Synopsis: 3: Looks at the types and quantities of material needed for radiocarbon dating, explains what chemical treatments are used to remove contamination, and discusses how the result is presented. Includes explanation of the error term c13C and calibration of r

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