Question

7. News flash! A scientist states he discovered a frozen baby mammoth in Siberia that lived during the last ice age 12,000 years ago. The C-14 count is that of a living baby elephant of similar size. Is his claim supported? 19

Answer 1

The half-life of C14 is around 6000 years. It means that in 600 years the amount of C14 is reduced to half.

Given that C-14 count is 1/2 that of the living baby elephant of similar size. Since the amount was of C-14 is half. It means that the frozen baby mammoth lived during 6000 years ago not 12000 years ago As claimed by the scientist.

So, his claim should be rejected.

Had the levels of C-14 count would be 1/4 that of the living baby elephant of similar size, then only his claim was found to be correct.