Problema Solution
Prehistoric cave paintings were discovered. The paint contained 11% of the catbon-14. Estimate the age of the paintings using the exponential decay model for carbon-14, A=Ao e^-0.000121t. How old were the paintings?
Answer provided by our tutors
A=Ao e^-0.000121t
the paint contained 11% of the catbon-14 means:
A = 0.11*Ao
we need to find t from the equation:
0.11Ao=Ao e^-0.000121t divide both sides by Ao
e^-0.000121t = 0.11
-0.000121t = ln(0.11)
t = ln(0.11)/(-0.000121)
t = 18,242 years
the painting were 18,242 years old.