Question

Testing shows that a sample of wood from an artifact contains 50% of the original amount of carbon-14. Given that the half-life of carbon-14 is 5730

years, how old is the artifact?
A. 22,920 years
B. 11,460 years
C. 5730 years
D. 2865 years

Answer 1

C. 5730 years

Step-by-step explanation:

N(t) = N(0)e^-kt

The half-life is T = 5730 years,

e^-kT = 1/2

→ k = - ln(1/2) / T

→ - ln(1/2) / 5730

→ 1.209681 x 10^-4 years^-1

The amount present dropped to 50%.

Then one half-life has elapsed, so the age is 5730 years.