Earth's History

A __________ is the remains of a once-living organism found in layers of rock, ice, or amber.

• Fossil
• Radioactive Decay
• Half-Life
• Geology

______________________ is the process in which a radioactive isotope tends to break down into a stable isotope.

• Fossil
• Radioactive Decay
• Half-Life
• Geology

The time required for half the quantity of a radioactive material to decay is its _____________

• Fossil
• Radioactive Decay
• Half-Life
• Geology

TRUE OR FALSE Scientists use Relative dating to determine the actual age of an event or object in years

• True
• False

The fossil evidence supports which hypothesis about the extinction of the older reptile species?

• The older reptile species went extinct because sea levels rose and flooded its habitat

• The older reptile species went extinct because a predator was introduced into the environment

• The older reptile species went extinct because it could not compete with the younger reptile species

• The older reptile species went extinct because a volcanic eruption caused the environment to change.

Which statement is consistent with this evidence and explains how ancient coral reef fossils can be found high in the mountains far from sea?

• A huge tidal wave pushed marine life up into the mountain

• Prehistoric man carried fish into the mountains from the sea

• Fish were thrown into the mountains by a tremendous volcanic explosion

• Land that was uplifted to form the mountains was once covered by the sea

The White Cliffs of Dover are made of a white sedimentary stone called chalk, which was formed when shells and skeletons of small marines organisms were deposited in a thick layer.

An examination of the Cliffs of Dover from top to bottom would should a change from

• Younger fossils to older fossils

• simple fossils to complex fossils

• igneous rock to sedimentary rock

• marine organisms to land organisms

Based on observations, the paleontologist concluded that the layers had been undisturbed by geological activity. Which layer should have the oldest fossils?

• Layer 8

• Layer 6

• Layer 4

• Layer 2

Jacob has one older brother and one younger sister. He wants to explain relative dating to them using their ages as an example. Which of the following arrangements would show the concept of relative dating?

• Forming a line in the order of age
• Forming a line in the order of height
• Forming line in the order of weight
• Forming a line in the order of birth month

How do scientists use fossils to determine the relative ages of rock layers?

• By comparing all the fossils in one rock layer
• By comparing fossils in many different rock layers
• By determining the position of fossils in many different rock layers
• By locating other areas of the world where the same fossils are found