Relative and Absolute Dating

Front

What is the law of Superposition?

Back

In horizontal sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layer is at the bottom and the youngest layer is at the top.

Front

Which layer is considered the oldest in geological terms?

Back

Layer E is considered the oldest.

Front

What is half-life?

Back

The amount of time it takes for 50% of the remaining radioactive material to decay into stable material.

Front

What does radiometric dating measure?

Back

Radiometric dating measures absolute time (dating) using radioactive decay.

Front

How does absolute age differ from relative age?

Back

Only absolute dating finds the age in years, while relative dating indicates which rock is older than another.

Front

What is relative dating?

Back

Relative dating is a method used to determine the age of rocks and fossils in relation to one another.

Front

What is absolute dating?

Back

Absolute dating is a method used to determine the exact age of a rock or fossil in years.

Front

What is an index fossil?

Back

An index fossil is a fossil that is used to define and identify a particular time period in the geological time scale.

Front

What is radioactive decay?

Back

Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation.

Front

What is the significance of geologic records?

Back

Geologic records provide evidence of the Earth's history, including the age of rocks and the evolution of life.