The half-life of carbon-14 is 5730 years.A sample is found to have one-eighth the original amount of carbon-14 in it.How old is the sample?
A)5730 years
B)716 years
C)45,800 years
D)17,200 years
E)none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the sample has one-eighth the original amount of carbon-14, it means 3 half-lives have elapsed (1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2 = 1/8). So, the sample is 3 x 5730 years = 17,190 years approximated to 17,200 years, which is closest to option D.

The Half-Life of Carbon-14 Is 5730 Years