If the atmospheric flux of 14 C (half-life of 5730 years) would have increased s

Question

If the atmospheric flux of 14C (half-life of 5730 years) would have increased significantly in the past above what is assumed today as an average flux, then the initial 14C/12C ratio would have been larger at that time. Under such circumstances, would you have to add some years to the conventional radiocarbon age (age that is calculated assuming the standard initial 14C/12C ratio) of an old carbon sample, or subtract some years (in other words, would the true radiocarbon age be older or younger than the conventional radiocarbon age)?

a) Add a certain number of years (true age would be older) -or-

b) Subtract (true age would be younger)

Explanation / Answer

Using N = No*e^(-lamda*t)

N/No = e^(-lamda*t)

lamda = 0.693/T = 0.693/5730 = 1.209*10^-4 is the disintegration constant

and T is the half life

then N/No = 1-(14/12) = 1/12

1/12 = e^(-1.209*10^-4*t)

t = 25666.13 years,(approx)

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