A Journey Through Fossil and Radiometric Dating

What is a fossil?

• A type of mineral

• The remains or impression of a prehistoric organism

• An historical artifact

• A layer of rock

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What does the Law of Superposition establish?

• The oldest rocks are on top of the younger rocks

• The younger rocks are on top of the older rocks

• All rock layers are the same age

• Rocks can be dated based on their color

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What does the term "relative age" mean in geology?

• The exact age of a rock in years

• The age of a rock compared to the ages of rock layers

• The age of the fossils within the rock

• The age of the Earth

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What is radioactive decay?

• The process by which a layer of rock erodes over time

• The process by which a new element is formed

• The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation

• The process by which fossils are formed

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

What is a half-life?

• The time it takes for half of a radioactive substance to decompose

• The time it takes for a fossil to form

• The time it takes for half of a rock layer to erode

• The time it takes for a new species to evolve

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

What type of dating method uses the decomposition of Carbon-14?

• Relative dating

• Absolute dating

• Superposition dating

• Stratigraphic dating

What is the maximum effective range for Carbon-14 dating?

• 50,000 years

• 500,000 years

• 5,000 years

• 5 million years

Which of the following is NOT a type of fossil?

• Mold fossil

• Trace fossil

• Mold fossil

• Synthetic fossil

What can be inferred from a rock layer that is interrupted by a series of faults?

• The faults are younger than the rock layer

• The rock layer is younger than the faults

• The faults and the rock layer are the same age

• The rock layer must contain fossils

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Why is Carbon-14 dating generally not used to date rocks?

• Rocks do not contain carbon

• Carbon-14 dating is only effective for organic materials

• Rocks are too old to be dated with Carbon-14

• Carbon-14 is only found in animals, not in rocks