Chapter 21, Problem 21.97AP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The information regarding the determination of age of six skeletons that were discovered in an Italian cave at the beginning of ${20}^{\text{th}}$ century was considered as a significant find in Stone Age archaeology is given. The ratio of ${}^{14}\text{C}$ in a sample $15,000\text{years}$ old to one $25,000\text{years}$ old is to be calculated.

Concept introduction: The time taken by any species to get reduced to half of its original concentration is called half-life of that species.

To determine: The ratio of ${}^{14}\text{C}$ in a sample $15,000\text{years}$ old to one $25,000\text{years}$ old.