Fossils Relative and Absolute Dating

Scientists use radiometric dating (radioactive decay) to measure...

• relative time (dating)

• absolute time (dating)

• half-lives

• time of day

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

How does absolute age differ from relative age?

• only absolute dating indicates which rock is older than another

• only absolute dating finds the age in years

• only relative dating finds the age in years

According to the law of superposition, the oldest fossils are found 

• At the top of the rock layers

• Near the bottom of the rock layers

• In the middle of the rock layers

• Somewhat near the surface

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

According to the law of superposition, which layer is the youngest?

• A

• B

• C

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Does the picture represent relative or absolute dating?

• relative

• absolute

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which type of dating method can be used on rock layers by applying the Law of Superposition?

• relative dating

• absolute dating

• radioactive dating

• radiometric dating

Which of the following is the oldest?

• Layer L

• Intrusion D

• Intrusion H

• Layer E

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which of the following correctly lists the layers in order from oldest to youngest?

• A, B, C, D, E

• E, B, C, D, A

• E, D, C, B, A

• C, B, A, D, E

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Layer B on side #1 (left) is a match to which layer on side #2 (right)?

• z

• y

• w

• there is no match

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Absolute age is defined as:

• The age of rock determined by radiometric dating.

• The age of rock based on living animals.

• The age of rock based on its location.

• The age of rock determined by relative dating.