The chart illustrates the decay of carbon-14 through radioactivity.

Question

Initially, the fossil contained 254 grams of carbon-14, but now it contains only 127 grams of carbon-14. How old is the fossil most likely?

(1 point)
Responses

5,730 years old.
5,730 years old.

22,920 years old.
22,920 years old.

17,190 years old.
17,190 years old.

11,460 years old.
11,460 years old.
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Answer 1

Carbon-14 has a half-life of approximately 5,730 years. This means that after one half-life, half of the original amount of carbon-14 will remain.

In this case, the initial amount of carbon-14 in the fossil was 254 grams, and it has now decayed to 127 grams. Since 127 grams is half of 254 grams, it indicates that one half-life has passed.

Therefore, the fossil is most likely 5,730 years old.