Fall 2024_Fossil Record

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What is the fossil record?

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The fossil record is the history of life on Earth as documented by fossils, which are the preserved remains or traces of organisms from the past.

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What is a half-life?

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The half-life is the length of time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

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How do fossils form?

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Fossils typically form when organisms are buried quickly after death, preventing decay and allowing for mineralization.

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What is the significance of rock layers in understanding Earth's history?

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Rock layers, or strata, provide a chronological record of geological and biological events, helping scientists understand the age and evolution of life.

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What does it mean if a rock layer is older than another?

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If a rock layer is older, it was deposited before the other layer, indicating that it contains older fossils and geological features.

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What is the principle of superposition?

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The principle of superposition states that in undisturbed sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

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What is a parent isotope?

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A parent isotope is the original radioactive isotope that undergoes decay to form a daughter product.

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What is a daughter product?

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A daughter product is the stable isotope or element that results from the decay of a parent isotope.

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Why do most organisms not become fossils?

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Most organisms do not become fossils because they decompose quickly, are eaten by scavengers, or are not buried in sediment.

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What is relative dating?

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Relative dating is a method used to determine the age of rocks and fossils by comparing their placement in layers.