Question

If an organism had 200 atoms of carbon-14 at death, how many atoms will be present after 14,325 years?

a) 100 atoms

b) 50 atoms

c) 25 atoms

d) 12.5 atoms

Answer 1

After 14,325 years, an organism that had 200 atoms of carbon-14 at death would have approximately 25 atoms remaining, due to the principle of half-life, where carbon-14 atoms decay in intervals of 5,730 years.

Step-by-step explanation:

If an organism had 200 atoms of carbon-14 at death, the amount of carbon-14 remaining after 14,325 years can be determined by understanding the concept of half-life. Carbon-14 has a half-life of approximately 5,730 years, which means that half of the carbon-14 atoms will have decayed after each interval of 5,730 years. After the first 5,730 years, 100 atoms will remain, after the second 5,730 years (total 11,460 years), 50 atoms will remain, and after an additional half-life, 25 atoms would be present. However, since 14,325 years is not a whole multiple of the half-life, it would be a little less than 25, but for the choices given, the closest is 25 atoms (option c).