The radioactivity due to C-14 isotope (half life 6000 years) a sample of wood from an ancient tomb was found to be nearly half of that fresh wood. The tomb is therefore about _____?
The radioactivity due to C-14 isotope (half life 6000 years) a sample of wood from an ancient tomb was found to be nearly half of that fresh wood. The tomb is therefore about _____?
Explanation
If the radioactivity is half of that in fresh wood, the time elapsed is equal to one half-life of C-14, which is 6000 years.
Therefore, the tomb is approximately 6000 years old.