An ancient wood artifact is believed to be 5000 years old.What percentage of the carbon-14 originally in the artifact would remain after this time? The half life of carbon-14 is 5730 years.
Please show steps ! Thanks :)
Please show steps ! Thanks :)
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The decay equation is m(t) = m0*e^-t/τ; at t = th, m(th) = m0/2
m0/2 = m0*e^-th/τ; ½ = e^-th/τ -ln(2) = -th/τ; τ = th/ln(2)
τ = 5730/ln(2) = 8267 yr
m(5000) = m0*e^-5000/8267 = 0.546*mo so 54.6% remains.
m0/2 = m0*e^-th/τ; ½ = e^-th/τ -ln(2) = -th/τ; τ = th/ln(2)
τ = 5730/ln(2) = 8267 yr
m(5000) = m0*e^-5000/8267 = 0.546*mo so 54.6% remains.