Fossilized tortoise shell was discovered in an ancient cave dwelling in northern Philippines. A sample of the shell has a specific activity (which is equivalent to Nt) of 4.12 disintegration per minute per gram (d/min-g). If the ratio of C-12 and C-14 in living organisms results to 17.5 d/min-g (which is equivalent to N0), how old is the fossil given that the half-life of C-14 is 5730 years?

Chemistry: The Molecular Science
5th Edition
ISBN:9781285199047
Author:John W. Moore, Conrad L. Stanitski
Publisher:John W. Moore, Conrad L. Stanitski
Chapter18: Nuclear Chemistry
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 36QRT
icon
Related questions
Question
Fossilized tortoise shell was discovered in an ancient cave dwelling in northern Philippines. A sample of the shell has a specific activity (which is equivalent to Nt) of 4.12 disintegration per minute per gram (d/min-g). If the ratio of C-12 and C-14 in living organisms results to 17.5 d/min-g (which is equivalent to N0), how old is the fossil given that the half-life of C-14 is 5730 years?
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Dating Techniques
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Chemistry: The Molecular Science
Chemistry: The Molecular Science
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781285199047
Author:
John W. Moore, Conrad L. Stanitski
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Introductory Chemistry For Today
Introductory Chemistry For Today
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781285644561
Author:
Seager
Publisher:
Cengage
General Chemistry - Standalone book (MindTap Cour…
General Chemistry - Standalone book (MindTap Cour…
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305580343
Author:
Steven D. Gammon, Ebbing, Darrell Ebbing, Steven D., Darrell; Gammon, Darrell Ebbing; Steven D. Gammon, Darrell D.; Gammon, Ebbing; Steven D. Gammon; Darrell
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Principles of Modern Chemistry
Principles of Modern Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079113
Author:
David W. Oxtoby, H. Pat Gillis, Laurie J. Butler
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079373
Author:
William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry for Engineering Students
Chemistry for Engineering Students
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781337398909
Author:
Lawrence S. Brown, Tom Holme
Publisher:
Cengage Learning