Relative and Absolute Dating

How does absolute age differ from relative age?

• only absolute dating indicates which rock is older than another
• only absolute dating finds the age in years
• only relative dating finds the age in years

According to the law of superposition, the oldest fossils are found 

• At the top of the rock layers
• Near the bottom of the rock layers
• In the middle of the rock layers
• Somewhat near the surface

According to the law of superposition, which layer is the youngest?

• A
• B
• C

Which type of dating method can be used on rock layers by applying the Law of Superposition?

• relative dating
• absolute dating
• radioactive dating
• radiometric dating

What element is usually used to date fossils?

• uranium-235
• carbon-14
• mercury-203
• thorium-234

All plants and ANIMALS contain carbon.

• True
• False

Traces or remains of organisms that lived long ago

• Fossil
• Unconformity
• Superposition
• Column

States that younger rocks lie above older rocks if the layers have not been disturbed

• superposition

• cross-cutting

• unconformity

• uniformitarianism

What is the law of superposition?

• The age of sedimentary rock not found in the original layers.

• Metamorphic rock is younger than the nearby igneous rock.

• Sedimentary rock in it's original position is older than layers above it.

• Metamorphic rock is older because it was deposited to nearby sedimentary rock.

Analyze the seashell found in the white layer. Which statement is true of the rock layer that contains this fossil?

• It could also contain a fossil from the bottom layer.

• It is older than the layers below it.

• It is younger than the layers above it.

• It is older than the layers above it.