The radioactivity due to ¹⁴C (half-life 5730 years) measured in a piece of a wooden casket from an ancient burial site was found to produce 10 counts per minute from a given sample, whereas the same amount of carbon from a piece of living wood produced 160 counts per minute. The estimated age of the artifact is A) 358 years. B) 5,700 years. C) 22,900 years. D) 45,800 years. E) 91,700 years.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The age of the artifact can be estimated using the formula for radioactive decay: N(t) = N0 * (1/2)^(t/T), where N(t) is the current count rate, N0 is the initial count rate, t is the time elapsed, and T is the half-life. Solving for t using the given counts (10 and 160) and the half-life of 5730 years, we find the age to be approximately 22,900 years.

The Radioactivity Due to 14C (Half-Life 5730 Years) Measured in a Piece

The Radioactivity Due to ¹⁴C (Half-Life 5730 Years) Measured in a Piece