Question

Scientists can determine the age of ancient objects by a method called 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 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 13% as much , 'c radioactivity as does plant material on Earth today. Estimate the age of the parchment. 14 14 14 14 Select the correct answer t- 16,724 years none of those t-17,150 years t- 18,373 years t 16,866 years t-16,189 years

Answer 1