Homework Help: Physics

Posted by Beth on Friday, July 27, 2012 at 5:26pm.

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 0.15 Bq per gram of carbon is measured to within an accuracy of 15 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.

I understand that I have to use the equation A=Ao EXP(-wavelength x T) and once i plug in the answer it always turns out to be 7300 or so which is the incorrect answer. Therfore allwing me not to be able to solve B. If anyone can help me in where my calculations went wrong that would be greatly appriciated.

Physics - Elena, Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 3:45pm
A=Aₒ•e(-λ•t).
λ is the decay constant (not the wavelength!!!)
λ=ln2/T, where T is half-life
A/Aₒ= e(- ln2•t/T).
ln(A/Aₒ)= - ln2•t/T
ln(0.15/0.23)=ln(0.652)=
= - 4.27 = -ln2 •t/5730.
t=4.27•5730/ln2=35299 years

15% •35299/100% =5295 years
Ans. 35299±5295 years
Physics - Anonymous, Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 9:02pm
this is wrong

Answer this Question

Related Questions

Physics/Statistics - We're actually learning propigation of error in my chem...
Geology - Does this sound right? Describe your assigned method and how it is ...
Chemistry (Check) - Completion. struggling with this....I got 1) 2)Precision 3)...
chemistry - Is there a difference between sources of experimental error and ...
Chemistry - How do you find Absolute error and how do you find relative error? ...
statistics - A sample of 200 students in a English class were asked- How long ...
Chemistry - The given actual molarity of sulfuric acid was .08M. How do I ...
chemsitry - complete the following sentence. For an experimental measurement, ...
chemistry - Based on the experimental data, I was able to calculate the ...
Math - Find the greatest possible error for the measurement 0.991 g. Find the ...

For Further Reading

First Name:
School Subject:
Answer: