Find the age t of a sample, if the total mass of carbon in the sample is me, the activity of the sample is A, the current ratio of the mass of C to the total mass of carbon in the atmosphere is r, and the decay constant of 14C is A. Assume that, at any time, C is a negligible fraction of the total mass of carbon and that the measured activity of the sample is purely due to 14C. Also assume that the ratio of mass of 14C to total carbon mass in the atmosphere (the source of the carbon in the sample) is the same at present and on the day when the number of 14C atoms in the sample was set

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6
Carbon-14 (C) dating is a method for finding the age of an
organic artifact from the quantity of 14C it contains. Carbon-14,
an unstable isotope of carbon, follows a well-known sequence of
decay processes. The decay constants of these processes have
been well established, allowing researchers to determine the age
of an artifact knowing both the original amount of 14C and the
current amount.
In the lab, it is relatively easy to measure the activity of a sample
and to estimate the mass of carbon in the sample. From these
measurements, it is possible to find the age of the sample.
Transcribed Image Text:6 Carbon-14 (C) dating is a method for finding the age of an organic artifact from the quantity of 14C it contains. Carbon-14, an unstable isotope of carbon, follows a well-known sequence of decay processes. The decay constants of these processes have been well established, allowing researchers to determine the age of an artifact knowing both the original amount of 14C and the current amount. In the lab, it is relatively easy to measure the activity of a sample and to estimate the mass of carbon in the sample. From these measurements, it is possible to find the age of the sample.
e
Part A
Find the age t of a sample, if the total mass of carbon in the sample is me, the activity of the sample is A, the current ratio of the mass of 14C to the total
mass of carbon in the atmosphere is r, and the decay constant of 14C is A Assume that, at any time, 14C is a negligible fraction of the total mass of
carbon and that the measured activity of the sample is purely due to 14C. Also assume that the ratio of mass of 14C to total carbon mass in the
atmosphere (the source of the carbon in the sample) is the same at present and on the day when the number of 14C atoms in the sample was set.
Express your answer in terms of the mass ma of a 14C atom, mc, A, r, and X.
View Available Hint(s)
t =
VE
ΑΣΦ
1 Ama
2
.
In
rmc
C
2.
?
Transcribed Image Text:e Part A Find the age t of a sample, if the total mass of carbon in the sample is me, the activity of the sample is A, the current ratio of the mass of 14C to the total mass of carbon in the atmosphere is r, and the decay constant of 14C is A Assume that, at any time, 14C is a negligible fraction of the total mass of carbon and that the measured activity of the sample is purely due to 14C. Also assume that the ratio of mass of 14C to total carbon mass in the atmosphere (the source of the carbon in the sample) is the same at present and on the day when the number of 14C atoms in the sample was set. Express your answer in terms of the mass ma of a 14C atom, mc, A, r, and X. View Available Hint(s) t = VE ΑΣΦ 1 Ama 2 . In rmc C 2. ?
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