Introductory Chemistry (5th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 032191029X
ISBN 13: 978-0-32191-029-5

Chapter 17 - Radioactivity and Nuclear Chemistry - Exercises - Questions - Page 637: 29

Answer

Dead organisms no longer take in Carbon-14, so the amount already present in their systems will decay with a half life of approximately 5730 years. By gauging the amount of Carbon-14 in an organism, scientists can deduce how long ago they died.

Work Step by Step

Dead organisms no longer take in Carbon-14, so the amount already present in their systems will decay with a half life of approximately 5730 years. By gauging the amount of Carbon-14 in an organism, scientists can deduce how long ago they died.
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