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Scientists can determine the age of ancient objects by the method of radiocarbon dating. The bombardment of the upper atmosphere by cosmic rays converts nitrogen to a radioactive isotope of carbon, 14C, with a half-life of about 5730 years. Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide through the atmosphere and animal assimilates 14C through food chains. When a plant or animal dies, it stops replacing its carbon and the amount of 14C begins to decrease through radioactive decay. Therefore the level of radioactivity must also decay exponentially. A parchment fragment was discovered that had about 75% as much 14C radioactivity as does plant material on earth today. Estimate the age of the parchment. (Round your answer to the nearest whole number.) yr Need Help? Watch Additional Materials

Scientists can determine the age of ancient objects by the method of radiocarbon dating. The bombardment of the upper atmosphere by cosmic rays converts nitrogen to a radioactive isotope of carbon, 14C, with a half-life of about 5730 years. Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide through the atmosphere and animal assimilates 14C through food chains. When a plant or animal dies, it stops replacing its carbon and the amount of 14C begins to decrease through radioactive decay. Therefore the level of radioactivity must also decay exponentially. A parchment fragment was discovered that had about 75% as much 14C radioactivity as does plant material on earth today. Estimate the age of the parchment. (Round your answer to the nearest whole number.) yr Need Help? Watch Additional Materials

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Scientists can determine the age of ancient objects by the method of radiocarbon dating. The bombardment of the upper atmosphere by cosmic rays converts nitrogen to a radioactive isotope of carbon, 14C, with a half-life of about 5730 years. Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide through the atmosphere and animal life assimilates ¹4C through food chains. When a plant or animal dies, it stops replacing its carbon and the amount of 14C begins to decrease through radioactive decay. Therefore the level of radioactivity must also decay exponentially. A parchment fragment was discovered that had about 75% as much 14C radioactivity as does plant material on earth today. Estimate the age of the parchment. (Round your answer to the nearest whole number.) yr Need Help? Watch It Additional Materials THER
Transcribed Image Text:Scientists can determine the age of ancient objects by the method of radiocarbon dating. The bombardment of the upper atmosphere by cosmic rays converts nitrogen to a radioactive isotope of carbon, 14C, with a half-life of about 5730 years. Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide through the atmosphere and animal life assimilates ¹4C through food chains. When a plant or animal dies, it stops replacing its carbon and the amount of 14C begins to decrease through radioactive decay. Therefore the level of radioactivity must also decay exponentially. A parchment fragment was discovered that had about 75% as much 14C radioactivity as does plant material on earth today. Estimate the age of the parchment. (Round your answer to the nearest whole number.) yr Need Help? Watch It Additional Materials THER
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