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Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
The fossil bone has a ${ }^{14} \mathrm{C}:{ }^{12} \mathrm{C}$ ratio, which is $[1 / 16]$ of that in a living animal bone. If the halflife time of ${ }^{14} \mathrm{C}$ is 5730 years, then the age of the fossil bone is
PhysicsNuclear PhysicsAIIMSAIIMS 2006
Options:
  • A 11460 years
  • B 17190 years
  • C 22920 years
  • D 45840 years.
Solution:
1386 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: 22920 years
After 5730 years, the number of $\mathrm{C}^{14}$ remaining is $\frac{1}{2}$ th original. To have $(1 / 16)$ original value, it takes $(1 / 2)^4, 4$ half lives.
Therefore, the bone is $4 \times 5730$ years $=22920$ years old.

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