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

The half-life of carbon-14 is 5,370 years. After 100 million years, which is far more than several half-lives, essentially all the carbon-14 would have decayed, leaving a negligible amount.

Petroleum Is a Fossil Fuel Containing Many Different Carbon Compounds