The ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 in a piece of charcoal from a fire pit in an archaeological excavation is found to be 12.5% of that in a sample of modern wood. Approximately how old is the site? (Carbon-14 half-life is 5730 years.) Answer as a whole number with no units.
Added by Justin C.
Step 1
We know that the ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 in the charcoal is 12.5% of that in the modern wood sample. So, we can write this as a fraction: $\frac{12.5}{100} = \frac{1}{8}$. Show more…
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