History of the Earth U6 Review

Front

What is the Law of Superposition?

Back

The Law of Superposition is an observable fact about undisturbed rock layers, stating that in any undisturbed sequence of rocks, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

Front

What is the best method to measure the age of the Earth?

Back

The best way to measure the age of the Earth is by testing the rate of decay in rocks, known as radiometric dating.

Front

What does absolute age of a rock refer to?

Back

The absolute age of a rock refers to the age determined by radioactive dating, which measures the decay of radioactive isotopes.

Front

Which method is least likely to help determine the age of sedimentary rocks?

Back

Analyzing seismic data to determine when radioactive isotopes break down into stable isotopes is least likely to help determine the age of sedimentary rocks.

Front

Why can marine fossils be found in areas that are now farmland?

Back

Marine fossils can be found in areas that are now farmland because the area used to be under water.

Front

What is radiometric dating?

Back

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

Front

What are index fossils?

Back

Index fossils are fossils of organisms that lived during a specific time period and are used to date the rock layers in which they are found.

Front

What is the difference between relative age and absolute age?

Back

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

Front

What is an igneous rock?

Back

An igneous rock is a type of rock that forms from the cooling and solidification of molten material called magma or lava.

Front

What is sedimentary rock?

Back

Sedimentary rock is formed from the accumulation and compaction of mineral and organic particles, often containing fossils.