Question

The half-life for radioactive decay of 14C is 5730 years. An archaeological artifact containing wood had only 80% of the 14C found in a living tree. Estimate the age of the sample.

Answer 1

Dear Student,

◆ Answer -

Age = 1844 years

● Explaination -

# Given -

t½ = 5730 years

A = 80% Ao = 0.8Ao

# Solution -

Radioactive decay constant λ is calculated as -

λ = 0.693 / t½

λ = 0.693 / 5730

λ = 1.21×10^-4 /yrs

Now, age of the sample is calculated by formula -

t = 2.303/λ × log(Ao/A)

t = 2.303 / 1.21×10^-4 × log(Ao/0.8Ao)

t = 1903 × 0.0969

t = 1844 years

Therefore, approximate age of the sample is 1844 yrs.

Hope this helps you...

Answer 2

Answer:

λ = 0.693 / 5730

λ = 1.21×10^-4 /yrs

-

t = 2.303/λ × log(Ao/A)

t = 1844 years