When an organism dies, the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14 in its body is the same as in every other living thing. However, the amount of carbon-14 is reduced by half every 5,700 years, while the amount of carbon-12 remains constant. If 25% of the carbon-14 present at the time of the organism’s death remains in its fossil, approximately how old is the fossil?
Answers
Answered by
13
It is a very nice question.
Here's your answer.
Let the original amount of Carbon-14 in the organism be 'x'.
So, the percentage of Carbon -14 at the time of death is obviously 100 %.
Now, its given that the carbon-14 is reduced by half every 5700 years.
So, after 5700 years of the death of the organism the amount of Carbon-14 is reduced to 100%/2 = 50 %
Now, let's see what happens after another 5700 years
After another 5700 years now the amount of Carbon-14 will become 50 % / 2 = 25 %.
Now, so we had 25% of Carbon-14 remaining in the body of the organism after 2 times 5700 years that is 11400 years.
So, if only 25 % of Carbon-14 is found in the body of the organism then the fossil would be approx. 11400 years old.
Here's your answer.
Let the original amount of Carbon-14 in the organism be 'x'.
So, the percentage of Carbon -14 at the time of death is obviously 100 %.
Now, its given that the carbon-14 is reduced by half every 5700 years.
So, after 5700 years of the death of the organism the amount of Carbon-14 is reduced to 100%/2 = 50 %
Now, let's see what happens after another 5700 years
After another 5700 years now the amount of Carbon-14 will become 50 % / 2 = 25 %.
Now, so we had 25% of Carbon-14 remaining in the body of the organism after 2 times 5700 years that is 11400 years.
So, if only 25 % of Carbon-14 is found in the body of the organism then the fossil would be approx. 11400 years old.
Similar questions