Age of a tree/fossils can be measured by looking at the remaining Carbon-14 in a sample. C-14 has a half-life of 5720 years and this is a first-order reaction. If a piece of wood has converted 88.5% of the carbon-14, then how old is it?

Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
8th Edition
ISBN:9781305079373
Author:William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Publisher:William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Chapter11: Rate Of Reaction
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 45QAP: Iodine-131 is used to treat tumors in the thyroid. Its decomposition is first-order with a half-life...
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Age of a tree/fossils can be measured by looking at the remaining Carbon-14 in a sample. C-14 has a half-life of 5720 years and this is a first-order reaction. If a piece of wood has converted 88.5% of the carbon-14, then how old is it?  

Expert Solution
Step 1

Half life of C-14 = 5720 years

As the reaction follow first order kinetics.,

Rate constant, K = 0.693/t1/2 = 0.693/5720 years = 1.211 × 10-4 yr-1

Let the amount of C-14 Intially,Ao = 100 grams

Amount of converted carbon = 88.5 % = 88.5 gram

Amount of carbon remained, At = 100 - 88.5 = 11.5 gram

We have to find the time taken,t = ?

 

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