Fossils, Geologic Laws and Radiometric Dating and Rocks

When an unstable radioactive atom decays, it usually turns into:

• a more stable atom
• a less stable atom
• the exact same atom but with less pure energy
• empty space

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Radiometric dating is possible because the rates of decay of radioactive isotopes _____.

• change over time
• change from place to place
• are constant
• vary widely

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

The time it takes for 50% of the nuclei in a radioactive sample to decay to its stable isotope is called _____.

• the daughter product
• geologic time
• the half-life
• the half-time

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

According to the graph, what fraction of the original parent isotope still exists after 3 half lives?

• 0,5000 g
• 0,2500 g
• 0,1250 g
• 0.0625 g

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

You find a rock sample with radioactive atoms present.  If 25% of the original radioactive atoms were present, how many half-lives has the rock been around for? (Hint, at Half-Life = 0, you start with 100%)

• zero
• 1
• 2
• 3

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

The Law of Superposition helps scientists to determine what?

• The absolute age of rock layers
• The age of fossils
• The relative age of rock layers
• the super powers of rocks

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

_{Which rock layer in the diagram seems to be the oldest?}

• F
• E
• B
• A

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

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

• A
• B
• C

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4