Relative and Absolute Dating

Front

What is absolute age?

Back

The age of rock determined by radiometric dating.

Front

What is relative age?

Back

The age of rock determined by its position in relation to other rocks.

Front

How is absolute age determined?

Back

By using radiometric dating techniques.

Front

What does the Law of Superposition state?

Back

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

Front

What is the difference between absolute dating and relative dating?

Back

Absolute dating finds the age in years, while relative dating determines the order of events.

Front

What is an example of absolute dating?

Back

Using carbon dating to determine the age of a fossil.

Front

What is an example of relative dating?

Back

Determining that a rock layer is older than another based on its position.

Front

What does radiometric dating measure?

Back

The decay of radioactive isotopes to determine the age of rocks.

Front

Why is absolute dating important?

Back

It provides a specific age for rocks and fossils, helping to understand the timeline of Earth's history.

Front

What is a key limitation of relative dating?

Back

It does not provide an exact age, only the sequence of events.