Question
Chemistry Question on Nuclear Chemistry
The ratio of 12C14C in a piece of wood is 81 part that of atmosphere. If the half-life of 14C is 5730 years, the age of the wood sample is _______ years.
Answer
The age can be calculated using:
t = (ln(14C/12C)sample(14C/12C)initial)ln2t1/2
Given (14C/12C)initial(14C/12C)sample=81,
t = ln8×ln25730=17190 years