Fossil Record

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What is the fossil record?

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The fossil record is the history of life on Earth as documented by fossils, which are the preserved remains or traces of organisms from the past.

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What does the law of superposition state?

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The law of superposition states that in undisturbed sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest layers are at the top.

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What is radioactive dating?

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Radioactive dating is a method used to determine the absolute age of rocks and fossils by measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes.

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What can fossils tell us about past environments?

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Fossils can provide evidence of the conditions in which ancient organisms lived, such as climate, habitat, and the presence of water.

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What are index fossils?

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Index fossils are fossils of organisms that were widespread but only existed for a short period of geological time, used to date rock layers.

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How do scientists use the fossil record to study evolution?

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Scientists analyze the fossil record to observe changes in species over time, providing evidence for the theory of evolution.

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What is a mold fossil?

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A mold fossil is a hollow impression left in sediment when an organism decays, showing the shape of the organism.

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What is a cast fossil?

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A cast fossil forms when a mold fossil is filled with minerals or sediment, creating a replica of the original organism.

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What is the significance of sedimentary rock in the fossil record?

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Sedimentary rock is significant because it often contains fossils, as it forms from particles that settle in layers, preserving organisms.

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What is the difference between relative age and absolute age?

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Relative age is the age of a rock layer compared to other layers, while absolute age is the actual age in years.