Question

Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5,730 years. If a sample contained 80 mg originally, how much is left after 17,190 years? Show your work for complete credit.

Answer 1

Answer: 10 mg

Step-by-step explanation:

First, take 17,190 divided by 5730 = 3 half-life

We know that after each half-life, the sample will decrease by half

80 mg = 0 half-life

40 mg = 1 half- life

20 mg = 2 half-life

10 mg = 3 half-life