When any radioactive dating method is used, experimental error in the measuremen

Question

When any radioactive dating method is used, experimental error in the measurement of the sample's activity leads to error in the estimated age. In an application of the radiocarbon dating technique to certain fossils, an activity of 0.10 Bq per gram of carbon is measured to within an accuracy of plusminus 70%. Find the age of the fossils and the maximum error (in years) in the value obtained. Assume that there is no error in the 5730-year half-life of^14_6 C nor in the value of 0.23 Bq per gram of carbon in a living organism. age of the fossils yr maximum error yr

Explanation / Answer

Given that radio carbon dating method to certain fossils an activity of 0.1 Bq /gm

5730-year half-life of 6C14 nor in the value of 0.23 Bq per gram of carbon

step 1:

a)

find age of fossils=?

We know that ,

A=A0*e(-c*t).
c is the decay constant
c=ln2/T, where T is half-life
A/A0= e(- ln2*t/T).
ln(A/A0)= - ln2*t/T
ln(0.10/0.23)=ln(0.4348)=
= -0.8328 = -ln2*t/5730.
t=0.8328*5730/ln2= 6884.46 years

step 2:

b)

7% *6884.46=481.9122 years
Ans. 6884.46 ± 481.9122 years

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse W
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.