After a plant or animal dies, its 14C content decreases with half-life of 5730 years. If an archaeologist finds an ancient firepit containing partially consumed firewood, and the 14C content of the wood is only 43.8% that of an equal carbon sample from a present-day tree, what is the age of the ancient site? yr

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
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After a plant or animal dies, its ¹4C content decreases with a half-life of 5730 years. If an archaeologist finds an ancient firepit containing partially consumed firewood, and the 14C content of the wood
is only 43.8% that of an equal carbon sample from a present-day tree, what is the age of the ancient site?
yr
Transcribed Image Text:After a plant or animal dies, its ¹4C content decreases with a half-life of 5730 years. If an archaeologist finds an ancient firepit containing partially consumed firewood, and the 14C content of the wood is only 43.8% that of an equal carbon sample from a present-day tree, what is the age of the ancient site? yr
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