Petroleum is a fossil fuel containing many different carbon compounds. If the carbon atoms in petroleum have been in the ground for 100 million years, what fraction of the initial ¹⁴C atoms is still there? (t_1/2 = 5,370 yr)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5,370 years, meaning after this time, half of the initial amount will have decayed. After 100 million years, which is vastly longer than the half-life, virtually none of the original Carbon-14 atoms would remain.

Petroleum Is a Fossil Fuel Containing Many Different Carbon Compounds