Answered step by step
Verified Expert Solution
Link Copied!

Question

1 Approved Answer

please assist with explanation Atoms consist of a nucleus made up of protons and neutrons. Orbiting outside the nucleus are a cloud of electrons. The

please assist with explanation

image text in transcribed
Atoms consist of a nucleus made up of protons and neutrons. Orbiting outside the nucleus are a "cloud" of electrons. The number of protons determines the element. A carbon atom contains six protons and (normally) six neutrons; however, certain isotopes of carbon can exist. An isotope occurs when an atom has a different number of neutrons. Isotopes of carbon include: Carbon-12, Carbon-13, and Carbon-14. 6 protons 6 neutrons electron + proton neutron Carbon atom Figure I; Depiction of a carbon atom Carbon is an element common in living (organic) matter with C-12 and C-14 occurring in similar abundances. These isotopes combine with Oxygen to form Carbon Dioxide which plants use in photosynthesis. When these plants die, the C-12 and C-14 decay at different rates. (Radioactive decay occurs when an atom decays into a different element. Carbon-14 decays to Nitrogen-14.) Radiocarbon dating is a common technique used to find the age of dead organic matter by measuring the difference between C-12 and C-14 in a sample. This sample could be an ancient plant or animal. Use the C-14 curve below to answer the questions in the discussion section. Data 0.000125 f (0) = 0.000121 0.000100 0.000075 0.000050 0.000025 0.000000 0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 X Figure 2: Probability of decay. What is the probability of a C-14 atom taking less than 7,000 years to decay? P(X

Step by Step Solution

There are 3 Steps involved in it

Step: 1

blur-text-image

Get Instant Access to Expert-Tailored Solutions

See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success

Step: 2

blur-text-image

Step: 3

blur-text-image

Ace Your Homework with AI

Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance

Get Started

Recommended Textbook for

Applied Calculus

Authors: Stefan Waner, Steven Costenoble

6th Edition

ISBN: 1285415310, 9781285415314

More Books

Students also viewed these Mathematics questions