Archeologists can determine the age of artifacts made of wood or bone by measuring the amount of the radioactive isotope 14^C present in the object. The amount of isotope decreases in a first-order process. If 15.5% of the original amount of 14^C is present in a wooden tool at the time of analysis, what is the age of the tool? The half-life of 14C is 5730 yr. (answer in units of years)
2006-09-18 15:47:26 · 3 answers · asked by buttrefly007 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
First, you have to find k which is equal to (0.693/half life) = 0.000121.
Then, use the equation log (A0)/(A) = k*t/2.303.
Let A0 = 1 and A=0.155. Solve for t and you get 15418 years.
2006-09-18 15:55:22 · answer #1 · answered by The Terminator 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
@5730 years-50%
@11460years-25%
@17190years-12.5%
Find your formula, and look for it somewhere around 15,000 years.
2006-09-18 15:53:13 · answer #2 · answered by Helzabet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4841 years
2006-09-18 15:53:43 · answer #3 · answered by bill45310252 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋