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14 August, 14:28

A piece of charcoal used for cooking is found at the remains of an ancient campsite. a 0.94 kg sample of carbon from the wood has an activity of 1580 decays per minute. find the age of the charcoal. living material has an activity of 15 decays/minute per gram of carbon present and the half-life of 14c is 5730 y. answer

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  1. 14 August, 15:49
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    Mass of sample of charcoal = 0.94 kg = 0.00094

    ∴, activity = decay rate / mass = 1580/0.00094

    = 1.681 X 10^6 decays per min per gram

    Using the half-life formula, we have:

    activity of sample / activity of modern carbon = (1/2) ^ (age / half-life)

    ∴, Age = half-life x log (base 2) (modern activity / coal activity)

    = 5730 x log (base 2) (1.681X10^6 / 15)

    = 96115 years.

    Answer: Age of the charcoal = 96115 years
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