Relative and Absolute Dating of Fossils

Which is the best predictor of the relative age of a layer of rock?

• Thickness of layer

• Position of layer

• Length of layer

• Size of layer

Which is used to find the relative age of a rock?

• Composition of rock layers

• Position of rock layers

• Carbon 14 Dating

• Uranium Dating

Which process would be most effective in determining the age of fossils embedded in rock?

• Relative dating

• Absolute dating

• Use of index fossils

• Use of core sampling

A geologist found 600 year old sediments below a particular rock layer. Which will the geologist most likely find above the rock layer?

• 450 year old sediments

• 600 year old sediments

• 650 year old sediments

• 1,000 year old sediments

Several different fossils were found in rock layers in a geologic column. Above these rock layers, the fossils were almost nonexistent. Which most likely explains these observations?

• A nonconformity occurred

• All the organisms migrated

• A period of mass extinction occurred

Which would LEAST likely be an earth process that has influenced the formation of rock layers and fossil formation?

• High levels of soil erosion

• Air masses forming over storms

• Movement of crustal plates

What can be concluded about the age of fossils in undisturbed rock layers?

• The top layer has the oldest fossils

• The bottom layer has the oldest fossils

• The top layer has the oldest and youngest fossils

Which choice describes uranium use for radioactive dating

• Uranium is a strongly radioactive substance that breaks down at a fast and steady pace and cannot be altered by temperature or pressure.

• Uranium is a strongly radioactive substance that breaks down at a fast and unsteady pace which can be altered by temperature or pressure.

• Uranium is mildly radioactive substance that breaks down at a slow and steady pace which cannot be altered by temperature or pressure.

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

• Carbon 14 method

• Uranium Lead Method

• Potassium Argon method

• Rubidium Strontium method

Which choice makes a good index fossil?

• A fossil not commonly found in rocks

• A fossil that lived throughout many geologic times

• A fossil that lived during 3 geologic time periods

• A fossil that lived during only 1 geologic time period