Science Unit

Which of the following is the best way to measure the age of the Earth?

• Examine rocks collected at my school.

• Analyze maps of all known fossil sites in the United Kingdom

• Test the rate of decay of specific elements in rock samples.

• Explore leaves embedded in ash from recent volcanic eruptions.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

Which of the following is an example of absolute dating?

• A sedimentary rock layer is between 10,000 and 10,500 years old.

• A sedimentary rock layer is younger than the existing layer below it

• A sedimentary rock layer is 50,000 years old because it is a scientific law

• A sedimentary rock layer contains insect fossils, but the layers above and below it do not contain any fossils.

Nathan is given an image showing three rock layers and an intrusion of basalt. He is asked to determine the order in which these layers were formed. Nathan already knows that when molten rock pushes its way into rock layers already formed, it creates an intrusion. A diagram is provided.Which of the following indicates when the basaltic intrusion must have occurred?

• After the limestone was deposited

• Before the granite was formed

• After the sandstone was deposited

• Before all three layers were formed

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

One scientific technique determines the age of rocks by observing the undisturbed sequence of rocks deposited in layers, with the youngest layer on top and the oldest on bottom. Which of the following does this describe?

• radioactive dating

• relative dating

• the law of superposition

• earthquake location

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The decay of uranium isotopes is used to provide what information about Earths history?

• Fluctuations in solar radiation

• The absolute age of rocks

• Changes on climate over time

• The diet of ancient animals

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

Mrs. Jones provides her class with an image that shows rock layers in their original order along with a fracture in some rock layers caused by an earthquake. She has asked students what information can be determined from these rock layers. An image is provided.Based on the evidence in the illustration, when did the earthquake occur?

• Before Layer W was deposited

• Before Layer X was deposited

• Before Layer Y was deposited

• Before Layer Z was deposited

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What evidence supports the scientific theory that continents on Earth were at one time a part of a large supercontinent called Pangaea before they drifted apart?

• Sediments found along the coasts of continents often were transported there by wind or moving water.

• The plants and animals that live on the same continent can often look very different from their fossil ancestors.

• The fossils of some kind of organisms can only be found in one location on Earth.

• In several locations, the shape of one continent matches the shape of a nearby continent, like puzzle pieces.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The distribution of fossils is used as evidence for plate tectonics. The distribution of four different fossil organisms over three different continents is shown in the provided diagram.The distribution of which organisms can be used as evidence that Africa was once connected to South America?

• Lystrosaurus Mesosaurus and Glossopteris

• Cynognathus Glossopteris and Lystrosaurus

• Glossopteris Cynognathus and Mesosaurus

• Cynognathus Mesosaurus Lystrosaurus

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Scientists use several processes to determine the age of rock layers and fossils in Earth. Which process can be used for absolute dating of fossils?

• radioactive dating

• relative dating

• the law of superposition

• earthquake location

When looking at the shape of the continental shelves that surround South America and Africa, it can be observed that the continental shelves fit together. An image is provided.Which of the following ideas best supports this observation?

• The continental shelves of these two continents are made of the same type of rock material.

• The tectonic plates between these continents are roughly the same age.

• These continents were joined in the past and have moved apart since that time.

• The material that makes up the continental shelves is eroded from the continents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3