A wooden artifact from an ancient tomb contains 50 percent of the carbon-14 that is present in living trees. How long ago, to the nearest year, was the artifact made? (The half-life of carbon-14 is 5730 years.) years

Algebra and Trigonometry (6th Edition)
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ISBN:9780134463216
Author:Robert F. Blitzer
Publisher:Robert F. Blitzer
ChapterP: Prerequisites: Fundamental Concepts Of Algebra
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Problem 1MCCP: In Exercises 1-25, simplify the given expression or perform the indicated operation (and simplify,...
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### Carbon-14 Dating Problem

A wooden artifact from an ancient tomb contains 50 percent of the carbon-14 that is present in living trees.

**Problem Statement:**

How long ago, to the nearest year, was the artifact made? 

*(Note: The half-life of carbon-14 is 5730 years.)*

**Answer:**

[Text Box] years

---

This problem is an example of using the concept of radioactive decay to determine the age of archaeological artifacts. The half-life is the time taken for half of the radioactive isotopes in a sample to decay. Here, the half-life of carbon-14 is 5730 years, and the artifact retains 50% of its original carbon-14 content, indicating that it is one half-life old. 

Therefore, the artifact was made approximately 5730 years ago.
Transcribed Image Text:### Carbon-14 Dating Problem A wooden artifact from an ancient tomb contains 50 percent of the carbon-14 that is present in living trees. **Problem Statement:** How long ago, to the nearest year, was the artifact made? *(Note: The half-life of carbon-14 is 5730 years.)* **Answer:** [Text Box] years --- This problem is an example of using the concept of radioactive decay to determine the age of archaeological artifacts. The half-life is the time taken for half of the radioactive isotopes in a sample to decay. Here, the half-life of carbon-14 is 5730 years, and the artifact retains 50% of its original carbon-14 content, indicating that it is one half-life old. Therefore, the artifact was made approximately 5730 years ago.
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