Question

Scientists infer that early North American humans hunted the mastodon. Carbon-14 dating of the rib bone indicates that 2.4 half-lives have passed since the mastodon was killed. Approximately how many years ago did the mastodon die?


I know the answers are online, but like I need somebody to explain how you get the answer.

Answer 1

The mastodon die approximately 13,700 years ago (the half-life of this isotope is 5,730 years).

What is Carbon-14 dating?

Carbon-14 dating is the estimation of a period due to the decay in the amount of this radioactive isotope (C14).

This approach (Carbon-14 dating) is well known to estimate the age of different types of fossils, either plants or animals.

In conclusion, the mastodon die approximately 13,700 years ago (the half-life of this isotope is 5,730 years).

Learn more about Carbon-14 dating here:

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