Question

Problem 11

Answer 1

Given information

Given that the bombardment of the upper atmosphere by cosmic rays converts nitrogen to a radioactive isotope of carbon,

Provided that half-life bombarded isotope of carbon,  is of about  years.

Given that a discovery about a parchment fragment amounts to   as much   radioactivity as does plant material on the earth today.

Estimate the age of the parchment

Step-by-step explanation

Step 1.

Let’s estimate at time years

Given that  at time years

Take the decay equation as follows  

Find the decay constant as follows