Interpretation: The basic principle of radiocarbon dating need to be explained.
Concept Introduction: Radiocarbon dating is a technique used in
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.
Chapter 19 Solutions
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