The half-life of carbon-14 is about 6000 years.Assume that a sample of charcoal formed by burning of living wood 15,000 years ago.How much of the original carbon-14 would remain today?
A)more than one-half
B)between one-fourth and one-eighth
C)between one-half and one-fourth
D)between one-half and one-third

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

After 6000 years, half of the carbon-14 in a sample will have decayed, leaving half remaining. After another 6000 years (total 12,000 years), half of that remaining carbon-14 would have decayed, leaving one-quarter remaining. After another 6000 years (total 18,000 years), half of that remaining carbon-14 would have decayed, leaving one-eighth remaining. Therefore, after 15,000 years, between one-fourth and one-eighth of the original carbon-14 would remain, and B is the closest answer choice.

The Half-Life of Carbon-14 Is About 6000 Years