- #1
Naeem
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Q. The half life of carbon-14 is 5730 years. If the original amount of carbon-14 in a particular living organism is 20 grams and that found in a fossil is 6 grams. determine the approximate age of the fossil.
Here is what I did:
A(t) = A0 e^kt
1/2 A0 = A0 e^5730k
Find k by taking ln of both sides
A0 = 20 ( for living organism )
A0 = 6 ( for fossil )
Using A0 = 6 can we find 't' the age of the fossil.
Is this idea correct? Why A0 = 20 is given in the problem?
Any ideas:
Here is what I did:
A(t) = A0 e^kt
1/2 A0 = A0 e^5730k
Find k by taking ln of both sides
A0 = 20 ( for living organism )
A0 = 6 ( for fossil )
Using A0 = 6 can we find 't' the age of the fossil.
Is this idea correct? Why A0 = 20 is given in the problem?
Any ideas: