Radiometric dating Scientists can determine the age of  ancient objects by the method of radiometric dating. The  bombardment of the upper atmosphere by cosmic rays  converts nitrogen to a radioactive isotope of carbon, 14C,  with a half-life of about 5730 years. Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide through the atmosphere and animal life  assimilates 14C through food chains. When a plant or animal dies, it stops replacing its carbon and the amount of 14C begins to decrease through radioactive decay.  Therefore the level of radioactivity must also decay exponentially. A discovery revealed a parchment fragment that had about 74% as much 14C radioactivity as does plant material on the earth today. Estimate the age of the parchment.

Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction
4th Edition
ISBN:9781285463247
Author:David Poole
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Chapter6: Vector Spaces
Section6.7: Applications
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Radiometric dating Scientists can determine the age of  ancient objects by the method of radiometric dating. The  bombardment of the upper atmosphere by cosmic rays  converts nitrogen to a radioactive isotope of carbon, 14C,  with a half-life of about 5730 years. Vegetation absorbs
carbon dioxide through the atmosphere and animal life  assimilates 14C through food chains. When a plant or animal dies, it stops replacing its carbon and the amount of 14C begins to decrease through radioactive decay.  Therefore the level of radioactivity must also decay exponentially. A discovery revealed a parchment fragment that had about 74% as much 14C radioactivity as does plant material on the earth today. Estimate the age of the parchment.

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