# How to do carbon dating math

Now, take the logarithm of both sides to get $$-0.693 = -5700k,$$ from which we can derive $$k \approx 1.22 \cdot 10^.$$ So either the answer is that ridiculously big number (9.17e7) or 30,476 years, being calculated with the equation I provided and the first equation in your answer, respectively.

How am I supposed to figure out what the decay constant is?

I can do this by working from the definition of "half-life": in the given amount of time (in this case, hours.

This method also cannot apply to the remains of aquatic life, because doesn't enter the ocean at an amount substantial enough for proper analysis.

Carbon dating also does not work on fossils; usually they are too old, and they contain very little carbon.

When an organism dies, the amount of 12C present remains unchanged, but the 14C decays at a rate proportional to the amount present with a half-life of approximately 5700 years.

This change in the amount of 14C relative to the amount of 12C makes it possible to estimate the time at which the organism lived.

If possible, the ink should be tested, since a recent forgery would use recently-made ink.

In other words, this function takes in a number of years, t, as its input value and gives back an output value of the percentage of carbon-14 remaining.

So, if you were asked to find out carbon's half-life value (the time it takes to decrease to half of its original size), you'd solve for t number of years when in any remains will have broken down.

If I end up with a positive value, I'll know that I should go back and check my work.) In Its radiation is extremely low-energy, so the chance of mutation is very low.

(Whatever you're being treated for is the greater danger.) The half-life is just long enough for the doctors to have time to take their pictures.

If possible, the ink should be tested, since a recent forgery would use recently-made ink.

In other words, this function takes in a number of years, t, as its input value and gives back an output value of the percentage of carbon-14 remaining.

So, if you were asked to find out carbon's half-life value (the time it takes to decrease to half of its original size), you'd solve for t number of years when in any remains will have broken down.

If I end up with a positive value, I'll know that I should go back and check my work.) In Its radiation is extremely low-energy, so the chance of mutation is very low.

(Whatever you're being treated for is the greater danger.) The half-life is just long enough for the doctors to have time to take their pictures.

­ ­You probably have seen or read news stories about fascinating ancient artifacts.