Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5730 years. A sample of wood has been recovered by an archaeologist. The sample is sent to a laboratory, where it is determined that the activity of the sample is 0.144 Bq/g. By comparing this activity with the activity of living organic matter, 0.230 Bq/g, the scientist determines how old the wood sample is, or more precisely, when the tree that the sample came from died. How old is the sample of wood?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The age of the sample can be calculated using the formula for radioactive decay: $ t = \frac{\ln(\frac{N_0}{N})}{\lambda} $, where $ \lambda = \frac{\ln(2)}{\text{half-life}} $. Substituting the given values, the age is approximately 3870 years.

Carbon-14 Has a Half-Life of 5730 Years