Absolute Dating of Rock Unit 4-3 2023-2024

Front

What does the law of crosscutting state about the age of a fault?

Back

The fault is younger than the rocks it cuts through.

Front

Why is radiometric dating possible?

Back

Because the rates of decay of radioactive isotopes are constant.

Front

Which method is used to find the absolute age of wood timber from an ancient sailing ship?

Back

Use Carbon-14 because it has a short half-life and is useful for dating organic matter.

Front

What is an unconformity in geology?

Back

A break in the geologic record made when rock layers are eroded over a long period of time.

Front

How does absolute age differ from relative age?

Back

Only absolute dating finds the age in years.

Front

What is absolute dating?

Back

A method used to determine the exact age of a rock or fossil in years.

Front

What is relative dating?

Back

A method used to determine the age of rocks or fossils in relation to other rocks or fossils.

Front

What is the significance of half-life in radiometric dating?

Back

Half-life is the time it takes for half of a radioactive isotope to decay, which helps in determining the age of materials.

Front

What is the principle of superposition?

Back

In undisturbed rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

Front

What type of materials can Carbon-14 dating be used on?

Back

Carbon-14 dating can be used on organic materials, such as wood and bone.