A sample of Peruvian corn was found to have a ¹⁴C to ¹²C ratio of 8.0 × 10^-13. Similar corn samples taken present day have a ¹⁴C to ¹²C ratio of 1.2 × 10^-12. Using this data, what is the age of the Peruvian corn sample?Hint: The half-life of 14C is 5730 years.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The age of the sample can be calculated using the formula for radioactive decay. The ratio of the sample to the current ratio gives the fraction of the original amount remaining. Using the half-life of 5730 years, the age is calculated to be approximately 3,350 years.

A Sample of Peruvian Corn Was Found to Have a 14C

A Sample of Peruvian Corn Was Found to Have a ¹⁴C