Chapter 6, Problem 12A

Summary Introduction

To write:

The half-life of carbon-14 and how scientists used this information.

Introduction:

The half-life is the time need for half the nuclei of a particular radionuclide or radioactive substance to undergo radioactive decay.

Explanation of Solution

The half-life of carbon-14 is the half amount of the radioisotope present at any given time that will undergo spontaneous disintegration during the continuous period of 5,730 years. Scientists can use the half-life of carbon-14 to calculate the approximate age of organic objects. They confirm how much of the carbon-14 has transformed. They can then determine the age of a substance.

Conclusion

Thus, the half-life of carbon-14 is 5,730 years and is used by the scientists to calculate the approximate age of organic objects.