When any radioactive dating method is used, experimental error in the measurement of the sample's activity leads to error in the estimated age. In an application of the radiocarbon dating technique to certain fossils, an activity of 0.130 Bq per gram of carbon is measured to within an accuracy of 14.0 percent. Find (a) the age of the fossils and (b) the maximum error (both in years) in the value obtained. Assume that there is no error in the 5730-year half-life of 6C¹4 nor in the value of 0.23 Bq per gram of carbon in a living organism. (a) Number (b) Number i Units Units

Introductory Chemistry For Today
8th Edition
ISBN:9781285644561
Author:Seager
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Chapter10: Radioactivity And Nuclear Processes
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 10.51E
Question
When any radioactive dating method is used, experimental error in the measurement of the sample's activity leads to error in the
estimated age. In an application of the radiocarbon dating technique to certain fossils, an activity of 0.130 Bq per gram of carbon is
measured to within an accuracy of 14.0 percent. Find (a) the age of the fossils and (b) the maximum error (both in years) in the value
obtained. Assume that there is no error in the 5730-year half-life of 6C¹4 nor in the value of 0.23 Bq per gram of carbon in a living
organism.
(a) Number i
(b) Number i
Units
Units
Transcribed Image Text:When any radioactive dating method is used, experimental error in the measurement of the sample's activity leads to error in the estimated age. In an application of the radiocarbon dating technique to certain fossils, an activity of 0.130 Bq per gram of carbon is measured to within an accuracy of 14.0 percent. Find (a) the age of the fossils and (b) the maximum error (both in years) in the value obtained. Assume that there is no error in the 5730-year half-life of 6C¹4 nor in the value of 0.23 Bq per gram of carbon in a living organism. (a) Number i (b) Number i Units Units
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