Scientists can determine the age of ancient objects by the method of radiocarbon 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 5,730 years. Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide through the atmosphere, and animal life assimilates 14C through food chains. When plant or animal dies, it stops replacing its carbon, and the amount of 14C present begins to decrease through radioactive decay. Therefore, the level of radioactivity must also decay exponentially. A discovery revealed a parchment fragment that had about 64% as much 14C radioactivity as does plant material on the earth today. Estimate the age (in years) of the parchment. (Round your answer to the nearest hundred years.) 4800 Xyr

Scientists can determine the age of ancient objects by the method of radiocarbon 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 5,730 years. Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide through the atmosphere, and animal life assimilates 14C through food chains. When plant or animal dies, it stops replacing its carbon, and the amount of 14C present begins to decrease through radioactive decay. Therefore, the level of radioactivity must also decay exponentially. A discovery revealed a parchment fragment that had about 64% as much 14C radioactivity as does plant material on the earth today. Estimate the age (in years) of the parchment. (Round your answer to the nearest hundred years.) 4800 Xyr

Calculus For The Life Sciences

2nd Edition

ISBN:9780321964038

Author:GREENWELL, Raymond N., RITCHEY, Nathan P., Lial, Margaret L.

Publisher:GREENWELL, Raymond N., RITCHEY, Nathan P., Lial, Margaret L.

Chapter2: Exponential, Logarithmic, And Trigonometric Functions

Section2.CR: Chapter 2 Review

Problem 11CR

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