Fossils and Dating Methods Test

Front

What is the best definition of a fossil?

Back

The preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms

Front

Which of the following is a body fossil? Footprints in mud, A preserved shell, A burrow, A leaf impression

Back

A preserved shell

Front

Principle of Uniformitarianism

Back

Processes happening today also happened in the past.

Front

What is the term used to describe a gap in the rock record?

Back

Unconformity

Front

Which dating method uses the decay of isotopes to find the exact age of a fossil or rock?

Back

Radiometric dating

Front

What is a trace fossil?

Back

Evidence of activity such as footprints

Front

Which of the following best describes superposition?

Back

The oldest rock layers are at the bottom.

Front

How old can carbon-14 dating be used to date materials?

Back

Up to 50,000 years

Front

Fossils are formed when an organism gets buried in _______________ and the organic material is replaced by _______________.

Back

sediment, minerals

Front

The _______________ is the time it takes for half of a radioactive isotope to decay.

Back

half-life