Question

The quantity of carbon-14 in an organic sample decreased by 1% in a period of 83 years. Use this information to estimate the half-life of carbon-14.

Answer 1

so after 83 years, there is 99 percent left
let A be the initial amount
.99A = A(1/2)^(t/halflife) ,

Answer 2

The general halflife equation is
y = A (1/2)^(t/H) where A is initial amount and H is halflife
after 83 years, there is 99 percent left
.99A = A(1/2)^(83/H)
.99 = (1/2)^(83/H)
ln .99 = ln ((1/2)^(83/H))
ln .99 = 83/H *ln (1/2) , solve for H
H = 83 * ln (1/2)/ ln(.99)

Answer 3

H = 5724.3 years

Answer 4

Cheers

Answer 5

did that make sense?