A human bone is founded in your backyard. The ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 in the bone is 40% at the corresponding ratio for living organisms. Calculate the age of the bone.
A) 5,250 years
B) 30,495 years
C) 7,575 years
D) 5,729 years

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The half-life of carbon-14 is approximately 5,730 years. If the ratio is 40%, it means the bone has gone through more than one half-life. Using the formula for radioactive decay, the age is approximately 7,575 years.

A Human Bone Is Founded in Your Backyard