Scientists can determine the age of ancient objects by themethod of radiocarbon dating. The bombardment of theupper atmosphere by cosmic rays converts nitrogen to aradioactive isotope of carbon, C, with a half-life of about5730 years. Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide through theatmosphere and animal life assimilates C through foodchains. When a plant or animal dies, it stops replacing itscarbon and the amount of C begins to decrease throughradioactive decay. Therefore the level of radioactivity mustalso decay exponentially.A parchment fragment was discovered that had about74% as much C radioactivity as does plant material onthe earth today. Estimate the age of the parchment.

Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction
4th Edition
ISBN:9781285463247
Author:David Poole
Publisher:David Poole
Chapter6: Vector Spaces
Section6.7: Applications
Problem 16EQ
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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, C, with a half-life of about
5730 years. Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide through the
atmosphere and animal life assimilates C through food
chains. When a plant or animal dies, it stops replacing its
carbon and the amount of C begins to decrease through
radioactive decay. Therefore the level of radioactivity must
also decay exponentially.
A parchment fragment was discovered that had about
74% as much C radioactivity as does plant material on
the earth today. Estimate the age of the parchment.

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