Scientists analyzing an archaeological timber sample know that the amount of C in…
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · US High School · Chemistry · Atomic Structure & Nuclear · Atomic Structure & Nuclear
Problem
Scientists analyzing an archaeological timber sample know that the amount of 14C in organic material decays exponentially. The decay constant for 14C is k=−ln2/5730 yr−1. A wood fragment recovered from a shipwreck contains 2.70 g of 14C today.
Assume the ship was constructed exactly 2000 years ago and that the amount of 14C in the timber at the time of construction obeyed the same exponential model throughout its history.
(a) Calculate the numerical value of the decay constant k to four decimal places.
(b) Determine the mass of 14C that the timber contained when the ship was built. State your answer to three significant figures and include appropriate units.