Homework Help: Chemistry

Posted by Zoa on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 4:02pm.

The half-life for radioactive decay of 14C is 5730 years (it emits β-particles with energy
of 0.16 MeV). An archaeological sample contained wood that had only 72% of the 14C
found in living trees. What is its age?

Chemistry - DrBob222, Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 4:19pm
k = 0.693/t_1/2
Calculate k and substitute into the equation below.

ln(No/N) = kt
I would make up a convenient number for No, say 100, which makes N just 72% of that or 72. Calculate t.
Chemistry - Zoa, Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 5:10pm
thanks DrBob :)
Chemistry - Dieneaker, Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at 11:42pm
2716 years

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