The half life of Carbon-14 is 5730 years, how many years would it take for 7/8 of the original amount to decay?

1 Answer
Dec 30, 2017

#17190# years.

Explanation:

The half-life of carbon-14 is #5730# years.

Therefore, after

#1# half-life there is #50%=1/2# of the original amount left.

#2# half-lives there is #25%=1/4# of the original amount left.

#3# half-lives there is #12.5%=1/8# of the original amount left.

#1-7/8=1/8#

So, your answer would be the time it takes for carbon-14 to elapse 3 half-lives.

#5730*3=17190#