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12. Dinosaur fossils are too old to be reliably dated using carbon-14. (See Exercise 11.) Suppose we had a 68-million- year-old dinosaur fossil. What fraction of the living dino- saur's ¹C would be remaining today? Suppose the minimum detectable amount is 0.1%. What is the maximum age of a fossil that we could date using ¹4C?

12. Dinosaur fossils are too old to be reliably dated using carbon-14. (See Exercise 11.) Suppose we had a 68-million- year-old dinosaur fossil. What fraction of the living dino- saur's ¹C would be remaining today? Suppose the minimum detectable amount is 0.1%. What is the maximum age of a fossil that we could date using ¹4C?

Chemistry
Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
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**Question 12: Carbon-14 Dating of Dinosaur Fossils** In this exercise, we explore the limitations of carbon-14 dating for determining the age of dinosaur fossils. **Scenario:** We have a dinosaur fossil that is 68 million years old. We are tasked with determining what fraction of carbon-14 (\(^1\hspace{-0.08cm}^4C\)) would remain in such a fossil today. Additionally, we must establish the maximum age of a fossil that can be reliably dated using \(^1\hspace{-0.08cm}^4C\). **Considerations:** - Assume that the minimum detectable amount of \(^1\hspace{-0.08cm}^4C\) is 0.1%. **Key Question:** - What fraction of a living dinosaur's \(^1\hspace{-0.08cm}^4C\) would remain after 68 million years? - Considering the minimum detectable level, what is the maximum age of a fossil that can be dated using \(^1\hspace{-0.08cm}^4C\)?
Transcribed Image Text:**Question 12: Carbon-14 Dating of Dinosaur Fossils** In this exercise, we explore the limitations of carbon-14 dating for determining the age of dinosaur fossils. **Scenario:** We have a dinosaur fossil that is 68 million years old. We are tasked with determining what fraction of carbon-14 (\(^1\hspace{-0.08cm}^4C\)) would remain in such a fossil today. Additionally, we must establish the maximum age of a fossil that can be reliably dated using \(^1\hspace{-0.08cm}^4C\). **Considerations:** - Assume that the minimum detectable amount of \(^1\hspace{-0.08cm}^4C\) is 0.1%. **Key Question:** - What fraction of a living dinosaur's \(^1\hspace{-0.08cm}^4C\) would remain after 68 million years? - Considering the minimum detectable level, what is the maximum age of a fossil that can be dated using \(^1\hspace{-0.08cm}^4C\)?
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