A Lettuce Leaf Collected from the Salad Bar at the College

question 84

Short Answer

A lettuce leaf collected from the salad bar at the college cafeteria contains $\frac { 99 } { 100 }$ as much carbon-14 as a freshly cut lettuce leaf. How old is it? (Use 5700 years for the half-life of $14$ C.)

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Definitions:

Speculum

A medical tool used to hold open a body cavity or canal to allow for examination and treatment.

Pinna

The external part of the ear that collects sound waves and directs them into the ear canal.

Traction

The application of a pulling force to parts of the body to align and immobilize fractures or to relieve pressure on skeletal or soft tissues.

Aspirin

A medication used to reduce pain, fever, inflammation, and, in low doses, to prevent blood clots.