World of Chemistry, 3rd edition
World of Chemistry, 3rd edition
3rd Edition
ISBN: 9781133109655
Author: Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan L. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher: Brooks / Cole / Cengage Learning
Question
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Chapter 19.2, Problem 1RQ
Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The basic principle of radiocarbon dating need to be explained.

Concept Introduction: Radiocarbon dating is a technique used in forensics to determine the age of a carbon containing substance.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Answer to Problem 1RQ

The basic principle of radiocarbon dating is the half life of radioactive decay. In this technique, the amount of decayed carbon-14 radioisotope is compared with its half-life and the time of starting of decay is determined. This time can be used to determine the age of carbon lifeforms.

Explanation of Solution

All lifeforms containing carbon have a small percentage of the carbon present as carbon-14 isotope. This isotope is slightly radioactive and has a half life of 5730 years which means half of the carbon 14 will have decayed in 5730 years. The amount of decayed carbon 14 can give us the starting time of decay as the radioactive decay is a first order reaction. In this way the age of a substance can be determined.

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Chapter 19 Solutions

World of Chemistry, 3rd edition

Ch. 19.1 - Prob. 1RQCh. 19.1 - Prob. 2RQCh. 19.1 - Prob. 3RQCh. 19.1 - Prob. 4RQCh. 19.1 - Prob. 5RQCh. 19.1 - Prob. 6RQCh. 19.1 - Prob. 7RQCh. 19.2 - Prob. 1RQCh. 19.2 - Prob. 2RQCh. 19.2 - Prob. 3RQ
Ch. 19.2 - Prob. 4RQCh. 19.3 - Prob. 1RQCh. 19.3 - Prob. 2RQCh. 19.3 - Prob. 3RQCh. 19.3 - Prob. 4RQCh. 19.3 - Prob. 5RQCh. 19.3 - Prob. 6RQCh. 19 - Prob. 1ACh. 19 - Prob. 2ACh. 19 - Prob. 3ACh. 19 - Prob. 4ACh. 19 - Prob. 5ACh. 19 - Prob. 6ACh. 19 - Prob. 7ACh. 19 - Prob. 8ACh. 19 - Prob. 9ACh. 19 - Prob. 10ACh. 19 - Prob. 11ACh. 19 - Prob. 12ACh. 19 - Prob. 13ACh. 19 - Prob. 14ACh. 19 - Prob. 15ACh. 19 - Prob. 16ACh. 19 - Prob. 17ACh. 19 - Prob. 18ACh. 19 - Prob. 19ACh. 19 - Prob. 20ACh. 19 - Prob. 21ACh. 19 - Prob. 22ACh. 19 - Prob. 23ACh. 19 - Prob. 24ACh. 19 - Prob. 25ACh. 19 - Prob. 26ACh. 19 - Prob. 27ACh. 19 - Prob. 28ACh. 19 - Prob. 29ACh. 19 - Prob. 30ACh. 19 - Prob. 31ACh. 19 - Prob. 32ACh. 19 - Prob. 33ACh. 19 - Prob. 34ACh. 19 - Prob. 35ACh. 19 - Prob. 36ACh. 19 - Prob. 37ACh. 19 - Prob. 38ACh. 19 - Prob. 39ACh. 19 - Prob. 40ACh. 19 - Prob. 41ACh. 19 - Prob. 42ACh. 19 - Prob. 43ACh. 19 - Prob. 44ACh. 19 - Prob. 45ACh. 19 - Prob. 46ACh. 19 - Prob. 47ACh. 19 - Prob. 48ACh. 19 - Prob. 49ACh. 19 - Prob. 50ACh. 19 - Prob. 51ACh. 19 - Prob. 52ACh. 19 - Prob. 53ACh. 19 - Prob. 54ACh. 19 - Prob. 55ACh. 19 - Prob. 56ACh. 19 - Prob. 57ACh. 19 - Prob. 58ACh. 19 - Prob. 59ACh. 19 - Prob. 60ACh. 19 - Prob. 61ACh. 19 - Prob. 1STPCh. 19 - Prob. 2STPCh. 19 - Prob. 3STPCh. 19 - Prob. 4STPCh. 19 - Prob. 5STPCh. 19 - Prob. 6STPCh. 19 - Prob. 7STPCh. 19 - Prob. 8STPCh. 19 - Prob. 9STPCh. 19 - Prob. 10STPCh. 19 - Prob. 11STPCh. 19 - Prob. 12STP
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