You are an archaeologist researching artifacts left behind by Francisco Pizzaro's conquest of Peru in the 1530s.In order to confirm the authenticity of the leather artifacts, you are performing radiometric dating using an isotope pair that has a half-life of 250 years.In order for the artifacts to date back to the time of Pizzaro's conquest, approximately how much original radioactive isotope must be left in the artifacts?
A)50%
B)25%
C)75%
D)12.5%

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the isotope pair has a half-life of 250 years, after 250 years, half of the original radioactive isotope will remain. Therefore, after 500 years, only 25% of the original radioactive isotope will remain, which means that the artifacts must have approximately 25% of the original radioactive isotope to date back to Pizzaro's conquest.

You Are an Archaeologist Researching Artifacts Left Behind by Francisco