Dating and Fossils

Produced when sediments fill in a cavity made when an object decayed 

• cast
• mold
• original remains

Process that uses the properties of atoms in rocks and other objects to determine their ages 

• relative dating
• radioactive decay 
• absolute dating

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Gaps in rock records made when agents of erosion remove existing rock layers 

• fossils
• unconformities
• permineralized remains

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Fossils of species that existed for  short periods and were widespread 

• trace fossils 
• index fossils 
• original remains 

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

These fossils provide evidence of the activities of ancient organisms.

• petrified fossils
• trace fossils
• molds
• amber

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

If you found a rock containing a very complex fossil, you could infer that the rock is 

• relatively young
• very old
• igneous
• metamorphic

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Why is the fossil record incomplete?

• fossils get eroded away over time
• most organisms never became fossils
• scavengers and decomposers eat them too quickly
• all of the above

Which of the following can be learned by using the fossil record?

• When organisms changed or evolved

• when organisms appeared on Earth

• when organisms became extinct

• All the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What is the best reason that fossil #4 is NOT a good index fossil?

• It is not widespread

• it is not short-lived (in numerous layers)

• It is in half of the outcrops

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

If you found an index fossil in a layer of rock in Montana and a similar fossil in a layer of rock in Texas, you would know that:

• the fossils and rock layers are the same age

• the fossils from Montana are older

• the fossils from England are older

• none of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3