A scientist finds hominid fossils in China and in Australia. Judging by the rock layers in which both the fossils were found, the scientist suspects that they are approximately the same age. What should the scientist do next to build a stronger case that the fossils are the same age?

Question

Mireya Solomon

Mathematics

28 October, 10:31

A scientist finds hominid fossils in China and in Australia. Judging by the rock layers in which both the fossils were found, the scientist suspects that they are approximately the same age. What should the scientist do next to build a stronger case that the fossils are the same age?

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Curtis Walters · Answer 1

Since the fossils are of hominid origin, this means that they could contain carbon. Knowing this, carbon dating could be used to determine the age of the fossil. The technique is based on the ratio on carbon-12 and carbon-14. Carbon-14 undergoes radioactive decay, which is modeled by a first-order reaction. Knowing the half-life of carbon-14, one can solve the age of the fossils.