Determining Ages of Rocks

To be considered an index fossil, it had to have lived for a relatively short period of time.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The best index fossils have which two traits?

• widespread geographically, long lifespan

• widespread geographically, short lifespan

• specific place, long lifespan

• specific place, short lifespan

A geologist finds an area of undisturbed sedimentary rock. Which layer is most likely the oldest?

• lowest layer

• middle layer

• highest layer

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Radioactive dating is a method used by geologists to determine the _____ age of rocks.

• absolute

• relative

• general

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Which statement best describes one rule for determining the relative age of a rock layer?

• A fault is always younger than the rock it cuts through.

• An extrusion is always older than the rocks below it.

• An index fossil is always younger than the rock layer is occurs in.

• An intrusion is always older than the rock layers around it.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which of the following conclusions can geologists draw about a limestone rock layer based on the law of superposition?

• The limestone layer is 2 million years old.

• The limestone layer contains 2 million fossils.

• The limestone layer is younger than the sandstone layer below it.

• The limestone layer is the same age as another layer 100 kilometers away.

The age of a rock compared to the ages of other rocks.

• absolute age

• relative age

• half-life

• radioactive decay

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The process of determining the age of an object using the half-life of one or more radioactive isotopes.

• relative age

• radioactive decay

• radioactive dating

• absolute age

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Which term describes the time it takes for half of a radioactive element's atoms to decay?

• absolute age

• half-life

• radioactive decay

• relative age

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

The process in which the nuclei of radioactive elements break down, releasing fast-moving particles and energy.

• relative age

• radioactive dating

• radioactive decay

• absolute age

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8