To determine the correct conclusions from the given data, let's analyze the information step-by-step:
1. Understanding the Ratios:
- The C-12 to C-14 ratio in the atmosphere is [tex]\(1 \times 10^{12}\)[/tex].
- For living organisms, the C-12 to C-14 ratio should be approximately the same as the atmospheric ratio because they are ingesting C-14 at the same rate it is decaying.
- After an organism dies, it stops absorbing C-14. Over time, C-14 decays into N-14, causing the C-12 to C-14 ratio to increase.
2. Analyzing Each Organism:
- Organism E: The C-12 to C-14 ratio is [tex]\(8 \times 10^{12}\)[/tex]. This is significantly higher than the atmospheric ratio. Hence, Organism E is likely dead and has been for a considerable amount of time to allow this much C-14 to decay.
- Organism F: The C-12 to C-14 ratio is [tex]\(1 \times 10^{12}\)[/tex], which matches the atmospheric ratio. Therefore, Organism F is likely still alive as it maintains the same ratio as the atmospheric conditions.
- Organism G: The C-12 to C-14 ratio is [tex]\(4 \times 10^{12}\)[/tex]. This is higher than the atmospheric ratio but not as high as Organism E's ratio. Thus, Organism G is also dead but hasn't been dead as long as Organism E.
3. Conclusion:
- Living Status: Only Organism F is alive because its C-12 to C-14 ratio is the same as the atmospheric ratio.
- Death Order: Since Organism E has a higher C-12 to C-14 ratio than Organism G, Organism E has been dead longer, indicating that Organism E died before Organism G.
Thus, the most likely conclusion is:
Only Organism F is alive, and Organism E died before Organism G.
The correct answer is:
Only Organism F is alive, and Organism E died before Organism G.
