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The radioactive element carbon 14 has a half life of 5750 years. A scientist determined that the bones from a mastodon had lose 75.3% of their carbon 14. How old were the bones at the time they were discovered​

User Donica
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1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:

  • 11600 years

Explanation:

Given

  • Half life = 5750
  • Let the initial amount = c
  • Final amount = c- 0.753c = 0.247c
  • Time = t

The equation

  • 0.247c = c(1/2)^(t/5750)
  • 0.247 = (1/2)^(t/5750)
  • log 0.247 = log (1/2)^(t/5750)
  • t/5750 = log 0.247 / log 0.5
  • t/ 5750 = 2.017
  • t = 5750*2.017
  • t = 11600 (rounded)
User JoeR
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