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Studying the decay of radioactive isotopes in dead organisms helps scientists to identify fossilized remains. The ratio of [tex]\( C-12 \)[/tex] to [tex]\( C-14 \)[/tex] in the atmosphere is [tex]\( 1 \times 10^{12} \)[/tex]. The table shows this ratio inside the body of three organisms.

| Organism | [tex]\( C-12/C-14 \)[/tex] Ratio |
|----------|------------------------|
| A | [tex]\( 1 \times 10^{12} \)[/tex] |
| B | [tex]\( 2 \times 10^{12} \)[/tex] |
| C | [tex]\( 4 \times 10^{12} \)[/tex] |

What can most likely be concluded from the above information?

A. Only Organism A is dead, and Organism C is older than Organism B.
B. Only Organism A is dead, and Organism B is older than Organism C.
C. Both Organism B and Organism C are dead, but Organism B has been dead longer than Organism C.

Sagot :

GinnyAnswer
To determine the state and relative ages of the organisms based on the given information about the [tex]\( \text{C-12/C-14} \)[/tex] ratios, we need to analyze how these ratios compare to the ratio in the atmosphere.

### Step-by-Step Analysis:

1. Understand the Atmospheric Ratio:
- The ratio of [tex]\( \text{C-12} \)[/tex] to [tex]\( \text{C-14} \)[/tex] in the atmosphere is [tex]\( 1 \times 10^{12} \)[/tex].

2. Ratios in Organisms:
- Organism A: [tex]\( 1 \times 10^{12} \)[/tex]
- Organism B: [tex]\( 2 \times 10^{12} \)[/tex]
- Organism C: [tex]\( 4 \times 10^{12} \)[/tex]

3. Determine if an Organism is Dead:
- When an organism dies, it stops taking in new carbon, so the [tex]\( \text{C-14} \)[/tex] starts to decay, increasing the [tex]\( \text{C-12/C-14} \)[/tex] ratio.
- Compare the ratios inside the organisms to the atmospheric ratio to check if each organism is dead:
- Organism A: [tex]\( 1 \times 10^{12} \)[/tex] (same as the atmosphere) -> Likely not dead.
- Organism B: [tex]\( 2 \times 10^{12} \)[/tex] (greater than the atmosphere) -> Dead, because the ratio is higher.
- Organism C: [tex]\( 4 \times 10^{12} \)[/tex] (greater than the atmosphere) -> Dead, because the ratio is higher.

4. Relative Age of Dead Organisms:
- Higher [tex]\( \text{C-12/C-14} \)[/tex] ratio indicates a longer time since death because more [tex]\( \text{C-14} \)[/tex] has decayed.
- Compare the ratios of the dead organisms B and C:
- Organism B has [tex]\( 2 \times 10^{12} \)[/tex].
- Organism C has [tex]\( 4 \times 10^{12} \)[/tex].
- Since [tex]\( 4 \times 10^{12} > 2 \times 10^{12} \)[/tex], Organism C has a ratio that indicates it might have been dead longer (more decay of [tex]\( \text{C-14} \)[/tex]).

### Conclusion:
Both Organism B and Organism C are dead. However, Organism C has a higher [tex]\( \text{C-12/C-14} \)[/tex] ratio than Organism B, implying that Organism C has been dead for a longer period than Organism B.

Thus, the conclusion is:
- Both Organism B and Organism C are dead, but Organism B has been dead longer than Organism C.

Therefore, the correct conclusion from the given information is:
- Both Organism B and Organism C are dead, but Organism B has been dead longer than Organism C.
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