Earth History--Law of Superposition-Notes-KS

Open Ended

Why do you think it is important for scientists to determine the age of rocks?

Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes the difference between the relative age and absolute age of rocks?

• Relative age is the exact number of years since a rock was formed, while absolute age is its age compared to other rocks.

• Relative age is its age compared to other rocks, while absolute age is the number of years since the rock was formed.

• Relative age and absolute age both refer to the exact age of a rock.

• Relative age is used only for fossils, while absolute age is used for rocks.

Multiple Choice

Why does relative dating only work if the area has been undisturbed?

• Because fossils can only be found in undisturbed areas.

• Because disturbances can mix layers and change the order of fossils.

• Because relative dating uses chemical tests that require undisturbed rocks.

• Because undisturbed areas have more fossils.

Multiple Choice

According to the Law of Superposition which letter represents the oldest layer?

• E

• D

• C

• B

• A

Fill in the Blanks

A rock layer that is cut by a fault is always

than the fault.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following are clues that help determine the relative age of rocks?

• Extrusions

• Intrusions

• Faults

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

Index fossils are fossils that help determine the _____ of other fossils and rock that are found in the same sedimentary layer.

• age

• location

• fossil

• origin

Multiple Choice

Index fossils must be _____ and easily recognizable.

• old

• new

• alive

• distinctive

Multiple Choice

Index fossils are _____ widespread.

• never

• globally

• locally

• possibly

Multiple Choice

What is an index fossil?

• A fossil that is found only in one location and lived for a long period of time

• A fossil that is widely distributed and represents a type of organism that existed only briefly

• A fossil that is found in volcanic rocks

• A fossil that is used to determine the absolute age of rocks

Open Ended

Explain how scientists use index fossils to match rock layers in different locations.

Multiple Choice

What is the main difference between relative dating and absolute dating?

• Relative dating uses radioactive elements, absolute dating does not.

• Relative dating provides an exact age, absolute dating provides an estimate.

• Relative dating estimates the order of events, absolute dating determines the exact age.

• Relative dating is only used for fossils, absolute dating is only used for rocks.

Multiple Choice

How does the fossil record help scientists learn about past environments on Earth?

• It shows the types of rocks found in different layers.

• It provides evidence of the types of organisms that lived and the environments they lived in.

• It explains how mountains are formed.

• It describes the weather patterns of the past.

Word Cloud

What do you think of now when you hear the words Earth's History?