Relative and Absolute Dating

Front

What are preserved remains of plants and animals from the remote past called?

Back

Fossils

Front

What does the Law of Superposition state?

Back

Younger rock layers are on top of older rock layers in horizontal layers of sedimentary rock.

Front

What type of dating helps determine the age of rock by comparing it to the rocks around it?

Back

Relative dating

Front

What does absolute age tell us about a rock layer or fossil?

Back

The 'exact' age of a fossil determined by radiometric dating.

Front

True or False: Geologists use index fossils to find the relative age of rocks.

Back

True

Front

What is the main difference between relative dating and absolute dating?

Back

Relative dating determines the order of events, while absolute dating provides a specific age.

Front

What are index fossils?

Back

Fossils of organisms that were widespread but only existed for a short period, used to date rock layers.

Front

What is radiometric dating?

Back

A method used to determine the age of rocks and fossils by measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes.

Front

What is the significance of sedimentary rocks in dating?

Back

Sedimentary rocks often contain fossils and are used to understand the relative ages of rock layers.

Front

What is an example of a radioactive isotope used in dating?

Back

Carbon-14 is commonly used for dating organic materials.