Question

The previous part could be done without using the decay equation, because the ratio of original 14C14C to present 14C14C was an integer power of 1/2. Most problems are not so simple. To solve more general carbon-dating problems, you must first find the value of the decay constant for 14C14C, so that you can easily use the decay equation. Using the given half-life, 5730 yearsyears, find the value of the decay constant for 14C14C. Express your answer in inverse years to three significant figures. View Available Hint(s)

Answer 1

Answer: The decay constant for C14 is
`0.000121years^(-1)`

Step-by-step explanation:

Expression for rate law for first order kinetics is given by:

`t=(2.303)/(k)\log(a)/(a-x)`

where,

k = rate constant

t = age of sample

a = let initial amount of the reactant

a - x = amount left after decay process

for completion of half life:

Half life is the amount of time taken by a radioactive material to decay to half of its original value.

`t_{(1)/(2)}=(0.693)/(k)`

`k=(0.693)/(5730years)=0.000121years^(-1)`

The decay constant for C14 is
`0.000121years^(-1)`