Earth's History/Fossils

Radioactive dating is used to study which element in igneous and metamorphic rocks?

• uranium
• krypton
• barium
• Carbon

Which best describes the relationship between rock layers and index fossils?

• Different rock layers can be determined to be the same exact age if they contain the same index fossils.
• Different rock layers can be determined to be the same relative age if they contain the same index fossils.
• Different rock layers can be compared to determine the exact age of index fossils.
• Different rock layers contain only specific species of index fossils.

Which is used in radioactive dating?

• index fossils
• hydrochloric acid
• carbon-14
• Relative dating

On a geological dig, two fossil samples were found in different rock layers in the same area. One fossil was found in a rock layer that was located below the other. Which can be concluded about the relative ages of the fossils?

• The fossils were found in the same area, so they are the exact same age.
• The fossil found in the lower layer is older than the one found above it.
• The fossils are different ages, but it cannot be determined which is older or younger.
• The fossil found in the lower layer is younger than the one found above it.

Which statement is true?

• The oldest layers of rock and soil are closest to the surface of the earth.
• The youngest layers of rock and soil are farther away from the surface of the earth.
• Carbon-14 dating is an example of relative dating, and the law of superposition is an example of absolute dating.
• Absolute geologic dating and relative geologic dating are two methods used by scientists to determine the age of geologic evidence.

Which is a process that allows scientists to compare rock layers with others in a sequence to determine their age?

• relative dating
• radiometric dating
• absolute dating

Which method of radioactive dating would be most useful in determining the age of a human fossil?

• uranium-lead method
• potassium-argon method
• carbon-14 method

Why are index fossils used as guides to determine the age of rocks?

• Index fossils are very rare and are not commonly found in rocks.
• Each index fossil lived during a specific geologic time period.
• All index fossils lived during all the periods of geologic time.

Which statement best describes the Law of Superposition?

• In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the lowest layers contain the older rocks.
• Each sedimentary layer of rock represents 1,000 years of Earth’s age, much like the rings of a tree.
• In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the upper rock layers are older than the lower rock layers.
• Rocks that form near volcanoes are older than surrounding rock.

Where would evidence of earthquakes most often be found throughout Earth’s history?

• in desert sand dune formations
• along the ocean shoreline
• along fault lines
  In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the upper rock layers are older than the lower rock layers.
• in dry riverbeds