Use the above information to answer the following questions. 1. Remains of an ancient caveman are discovered and scientists determine that the level of carbon -14 is about 25% of the original amount. How long ago did he die? 2. The remains of one of the last Neanderthal man are discovered and found contain about 3% (or 1/32nd) of the original amount of Carbon -14. How long ago did she die? 3. The remains of a wooly rhinoceros are discovered. Scientists deduce that the sample from the rhinoceros originally had 80g of carbon -14 but now there is only 10 g left. How long ago did the rhinoceros die?
A. Carbon -14 is a radioactive isotope found in small amounts in all living things.
When the living thing dies, the carbon -14 begins to decay at a steady rate with
a half -life of 5,730 years; meaning that for every 5,730 years that passes,
exactly half of the original amount of carbon -14 has decayed. Scientists are
able to measure the amount of carbon -14 left in a dead organism and use the
half -life to determine the length of time that has passed since the organism died.
Directions: Use the above information to answer the following questions.
1. Remains of an ancient caveman are discovered and scientists determine that the
level of carbon -14 is about 25% of the original amount. How long ago did he die?
2. The remains of one of the last Neanderthal man are discovered and found contain
about 3% (or 1/32nd) of the original amount of Carbon -14. How long ago did she
die?
3. The remains of a wooly rhinoceros are discovered. Scientists deduce that the
sample from the rhinoceros originally had 80g of carbon -14 but now there is only
10 g left. How long ago did the rhinoceros die?
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