A saber- toothed- tiger's bones contain 1/32 of the amount of ¹⁴C that is contained in the bone material of living animals. The half- life of ¹⁴C is 6000 years. From this information, we can conclude A) that the tiger died about 30,000 years ago. B) that the tiger died about 18,000 years ago. C) nothing at all, because of the uncertainties associated with radioactive decay. D) nothing at all, because ¹⁴C dating is known to be inaccurate. E) that the tiger died about [i.e., plus or minus a few thousand years] 42,000 years ago.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The half-life formula can be used to calculate the time since death: (1/2)^(t/6000) = 1/32. Solving for t gives approximately 30,000 years.

A Saber- Toothed- Tiger's Bones Contain 1/32 of the Amount