- #1
Jon1527
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Carbon dating!
A 5g charcoal sample from an ancient fire pit has a 14C activity of 63 disintegrations
per minute. A living tree has a 14C activity of 15 disintegrations per minute per 1g.
The half-life of 14C is 5730 years. How old is the charcoal sample from the ancient fire
pit?
dont think that any are necessary (I think!)
63/5 =12.6
12.6/15 = 0.84
5730*0.84 = 4813.2 years
This isn't the right answer I am sure. This is taken from a previous exam paper I am doing to revise for my exams, and carbon dating is defintly gona come up, but can't find a method for doing this kind of question any where can somone pleeease help!
A 5g charcoal sample from an ancient fire pit has a 14C activity of 63 disintegrations
per minute. A living tree has a 14C activity of 15 disintegrations per minute per 1g.
The half-life of 14C is 5730 years. How old is the charcoal sample from the ancient fire
pit?
Homework Equations
dont think that any are necessary (I think!)
The Attempt at a Solution
63/5 =12.6
12.6/15 = 0.84
5730*0.84 = 4813.2 years
This isn't the right answer I am sure. This is taken from a previous exam paper I am doing to revise for my exams, and carbon dating is defintly gona come up, but can't find a method for doing this kind of question any where can somone pleeease help!