The video explores two primary methods for dating fossils: relative depth and radioactive dating. Relative depth involves comparing the depth of fossils in sediment layers to estimate age, while radioactive dating uses the decay of radioactive elements to determine the age of rocks and fossils. The video explains the formation of fossils, the concept of radioactive elements, and how these methods help us understand the age of ancient creatures and the history of the Earth.

What are the two main methods used to date dinosaur fossils?

• Relative depth and carbon dating

• Relative depth and radioactive dating

• Carbon dating and potassium-argon dating

• Lead dating and nitrogen dating

What is the primary factor considered in the relative depth method?

• The location of the fossil

• The size of the fossil

• The type of fossil

• The depth at which the fossil is found

How are fossils typically formed near a lake?

• By rapid freezing

• By sediment accumulation over time

• By volcanic activity

• By exposure to sunlight

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-5

In the relative depth method, what does a deeper fossil indicate?

• It is older

• It is larger

• It is smaller

• It is more recent

What is a key limitation of the relative depth method?

• It can only be used for fossils found in lakes

• It cannot be used for dinosaur fossils

• It requires knowledge of the age of at least one fossil

• It is only accurate for fossils less than 1 million years old

What is a radioactive element?

• An element that is found only in fossils

• An element that automatically converts into another element

• An element that does not decay

• An element that glows in the dark

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Which radioactive element converts into lead?

• Carbon

• Potassium

• Radium

• Argon

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Why is potassium-argon dating useful for very ancient fossils?

• Because it is more accurate than carbon dating

• Because it is very quick

• Because it is the only method available

• Because it takes billions of years for potassium to convert to argon

What can be inferred if a rock has a lot of argon and very little potassium?

• The rock is made of lead

• The rock is very recent

• The rock is very old

• The rock is radioactive

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Why can't carbon dating be used for dinosaur fossils?

• Because it is too quick

• Because it is too slow

• Because all the carbon would have converted to nitrogen

• Because it is not accurate