The half-life of ¹⁴C, a radioactive element of carbon, is 5,700 years.The ratio of ¹⁴C to ¹²C in a fossil 28,500 years old would be about _______ that of a living organism today.

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Since the half-life of ¹⁴C is 5,700 years, in 28,500 years (5 half-lives), the amount of ¹⁴C in a fossil would be (1/2)^5 = 1/32 of what it was initially. Therefore, the ratio of ¹⁴C to ¹²C in a fossil 28,500 years old would be about 1:32 that of a living organism today.

The Half-Life of 14C, a Radioactive Element of Carbon, Is

The Half-Life of ¹⁴C, a Radioactive Element of Carbon, Is