1. An archaeologist conducting a dig in New Mexico discovers some ancient bones. radiocarbon analysis indicates that 0.249 of the original amount of carbon-14 is left
a. approximately how many half-lives have elapsed/passed
b.if the single half-life value for carbon-14 is 5730 years, approximately how old are the remains?
1. An archaeologist conducting a dig in New Mexico discovers some ancient bones. radiocarbon analysis indicates...
Some fossil bones containing 1/32 of their original amount of carbon-14 are found. How many half-lives have passed? How old are the bones? (HINT: The half-life of carbon-14 is 5,730 years. If 1/8 of the original amount of carbon-14 was present, 1/8 = 1/23 or 1/(2x2x2), therefore 3 half-lives would have passed and therefore, the bones would be 5,730 years x 3 = 17,190 years old)