SOLUTION: a piece of bone from an organism is found to contain 10% of the carbon -14 is 5730 years then how long ago was the organism was alive?
please help me solve!!!!!
i really do
Algebra ->
Customizable Word Problem Solvers
-> Mixtures
-> SOLUTION: a piece of bone from an organism is found to contain 10% of the carbon -14 is 5730 years then how long ago was the organism was alive?
please help me solve!!!!!
i really do
Log On
Question 194226: a piece of bone from an organism is found to contain 10% of the carbon -14 is 5730 years then how long ago was the organism was alive?
please help me solve!!!!!
i really dont know how tio solve pleaseeeee help..... Answer by scott8148(6628) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! the half-life of carbon-14 is 5730yr
this means that in 5730yr, 50% of the original amount will remain
in another 5730yr, 25% will remain
and so on
the number of half-lives can be found from ___ p = (1/2)^n
where p is the fraction remaining and n is the number of half-lives
taking the log ___ log(p) = n * log(1/2)
dividing by log(1/2) ___ [log(p)] / [log(1/2)] = n
[log(.10)] / [log(1/2)] = n
using a calculator ___ n = 3.32 (approx)