QuarkNet,a Project Funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S.Department

question 50

Essay

QuarkNet,a project funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S.Department of Energy,poses the following problem on its website:
"Last year,deep within the Soudan mine,QuarkNet teachers began a long-term experiment to measure the amount of carbon-14 remaining in an initial 100-gram sample at 2000-year intervals.The experiment will be complete in the year 32001.Fortunately,a method for sending information backwards in time will be discovered in the year 29998,so,although the experiment is far from over,the results are in."
Here is a portion of the data:
A scatterplot of these data looks like:
Can you use your model to predict when 50 g of the sample will be left? Explain.

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Definitions:

Gas Chromatograph

A sophisticated analytical instrument used to separate, identify, and quantify compounds based on their volatility.

Arson

The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property, often with intent to cause damage.

House Fire

A destructive event involving the combustion of a dwelling, often resulting in damage and danger to occupants.

Reliable Evidence

Information or data that is dependable and can be trusted to be accurate for use in making decisions or drawing conclusions.