4. Dating the Earth

Multiple Choice

What type of rock layers are often used in relative dating?

• Igneous rocks

• Metamorphic rocks

• Sedimentary rocks

• Lava flows

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes relative dating?

• Gives the exact numerical age of a rock or fossil

• Determines the order of events without exact dates 
  

• Uses isotopes to date fossils

• Tells the age of Earth in billions of years

Multiple Choice

The principle of superposition tells us that: 

• Older layers are found above younger ones

• All layers are the same age

• Younger layers are found above older ones

• The age of the rock can be determined using carbon-14

Multiple Choice

Which principle states that layers of rock are originally laid down horizontally? 

• Superposition

• Cross-cutting

• Faunal succession

• Original horizontality

Multiple Choice

A fault cuts across several sedimentary rock layers. According to the principle of cross-cutting relationships, the fault is:

• Younger than the rock layers it cuts through

• Older than the rock layers

• The same age as the surrounding layers

• Made of igneous rock

Multiple Choice

What is the correct arrangement of the rock layers from oldest to youngest?

• A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N

• E, G, L, C, H, M, D, I, A, N, K, B, F

• F, B, K, N, I, A, D, M, H, C, L, G, E

• H, E, G, L, A, C, M, D, N, B, K, F, I

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best defines a half-life?

• The time it takes for a fossil to form

• The age of the Earth

• The time it takes for half of a radioactive substance to decay

• The process of layering sediments

Multiple Choice

Which isotope is commonly used to date organic remains?

• Uranium-238

• Potassium-40

• Carbon-14

• Lead-206

Multiple Choice

Which of the following methods is used in absolute dating?

• Cross-cutting relationships

• Radiometric dating

• Law of faunal succession

• Principle of original horizontality

Multiple Choice

What can absolute dating determine that relative dating cannot?

• The exact position of fossils

• The precise age in years

• The sequence of rock layers

• The cause of rock formation