In order to understand the prehistory of the Hawaiian island of Lana\'i better,

Question

  In order to understand the prehistory of the Hawaiian island of Lana'i better, anthropologists Maria Sweeney, Melinda Allen, and  Boyd Dixon used radiocarbon dating on charcoal found in an ancient dwelling site, the Kaunolu Village National Historic Landmark, the largest archeological complex on the island.  In one of their samples, they found that approximately 94% of the original carbon 14 remained.  Using the fact that Carbon 14 decays by 1.202% every 100 years, determine the approximate age of the this sample .

Explanation / Answer

it decays 1.202% in 100 years

=> but carbon content left = 94%

decayed carbon content = 100-94 = 6%

there fore if it decays 1.202 in 100 years

then for 6% we get 100/(1.202) * 6

so we get the answer to be nearly equal to 500 years

approximate age = 500 years

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