Answer:
D. About 800 years
Explanation:
Use the half-life equation:
A = A₀ (½)ⁿ
where A is the final amount,
A₀ is the initial amount,
and n is the number of half-lives.
0.90A₀ = A₀ (½)ⁿ
0.90 = (½)ⁿ
To solve for n, take log of both sides:
log 0.9 = n log 0.5
n = (log 0.9) / (log 0.5)
n = 0.152
It takes 0.152 half-lives. The half-life of carbon-14 is 5730 years.
0.152 × 5730 years = 871 years
The closest answer is D.