Fall 2024_Fossil Record

Front

What is the fossil record?

Back

The fossil record is the history of life on Earth as documented by fossils, which are the preserved remains or evidence of ancient living things.

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What does the term 'half-life' refer to?

Back

The half-life is the length of time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

Front

Is the bottom layer of sediment always the oldest?

Back

False. The bottom layer is not always the oldest due to geological processes such as folding and faulting.

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What are fossils?

Back

Fossils are the preserved remains or evidence of ancient living things.

Front

Which rock layer is typically the oldest?

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The oldest rock layer is usually found at the bottom of a sequence of sedimentary rocks.

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What principle explains the age of fossils in different rock layers?

Back

The principle of superposition states that in undisturbed sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom.

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What is relative dating in geology?

Back

Relative dating is a method used to determine the age of rocks and fossils in relation to one another, without determining their exact age.

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What is absolute dating?

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Absolute dating is a method used to determine the actual age of a rock or fossil, often through radiometric dating techniques.

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What is the significance of index fossils?

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Index fossils are used to define and identify specific time periods in the geological time scale, as they were widespread but only existed for a short duration.

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How do scientists use radioactive dating?

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Scientists use radioactive dating to determine the age of rocks and fossils by measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes.