11. Scientists can determine the age of ancient objects by the method of radiocarbon dating. The bombardment of the upper atmosphere by cosmic rays converts nitrogen to a radioactive isotope of carbon, “C, with a half-life of about 5730 years. Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide through the atmosphere and animal life assimilates “C through food chains. When a plant or animal dies, it stops replacing its carbon and the amount of “C begins to decrease through radioactive decay. Therefore the level of radioactivity must also decay exponentially. A parchment fragment was discovered that had about 74% as much "C radioactivity as does plant material on the earth today. Estimate the age of the parchment. 11

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11. Scientists can determine the age of ancient objects by the
method of radiocarbon dating. The bombardment of the upper
atmosphere by cosmic rays converts nitrogen to a radioactive
isotope of carbon, "C, with a half-life of about 5730 years.
Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide through the atmosphere and
animal life assimilates "C through food chains. When a plant
or animal dies, it stops replacing its carbon and the amount of
1"C begins to decrease through radioactive decay. Therefore the
level of radioactivity must also decay exponentially.
A parchment fragment was discovered that had about 74% as
much 1“C radioactivity as does plant material on the earth
today. Estimate the age of the parchment.
7.4: 11
Transcribed Image Text:11. Scientists can determine the age of ancient objects by the method of radiocarbon dating. The bombardment of the upper atmosphere by cosmic rays converts nitrogen to a radioactive isotope of carbon, "C, with a half-life of about 5730 years. Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide through the atmosphere and animal life assimilates "C through food chains. When a plant or animal dies, it stops replacing its carbon and the amount of 1"C begins to decrease through radioactive decay. Therefore the level of radioactivity must also decay exponentially. A parchment fragment was discovered that had about 74% as much 1“C radioactivity as does plant material on the earth today. Estimate the age of the parchment. 7.4: 11
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