The skeleton of a mamoth was recently recovered from a permafrost mine in the United States. Analysis of the elements in the mammoth showed 1/32th of the expected levels of carbon-14 isotope. If the half life of carbon-14 may be considered to be 5730 years, how many years ago did this mammoth exist?

Correct answer: D. 28,650 years

  • A. 5,730 years
  • B. 11,460 years
  • C. 32,300 years
  • D. 28,650 years

Explanation

Half-life is the amount of time required for a substance to decrease to half its initial value. Carbon-14 must have undergone 5 half-lives to reach the 1/32 level. Hence, 5 x 5730 years have passed since the mammoth lived. 5 x 5730= 28650

Last updated

Related questions