Relative and Absolute Dating

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What is relative dating?

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Relative dating is a method used to determine the order of rock layers and their relative ages without determining their exact age.

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What is absolute dating?

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Absolute dating is a technique used to determine the exact age of a rock or fossil, often using methods like radiometric dating.

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What does the Law of Superposition state?

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The Law of Superposition states that in undisturbed rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest layers are at the top.

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What are fossils?

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Fossils are preserved remains or traces of ancient plants and animals, often found in sedimentary rock.

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What is radioactive decay?

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Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation.

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What is a sedimentary rock?

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Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation and compaction of mineral and organic particles.

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What is the significance of index fossils?

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Index fossils are used to identify and date the rock layers in which they are found, as they were widespread but existed for a short period.

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What is the difference between relative age and absolute age?

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Relative age is the age of a rock layer compared to other layers, while absolute age is the actual age of the rock layer in years.

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What is the principle of cross-cutting relationships?

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The principle of cross-cutting relationships states that a geological feature that cuts through another is younger than the feature it cuts.

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What is radiometric dating?

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Radiometric dating is a method used to date materials by comparing the abundance of a radioactive isotope to its decay products.